Refugee migration and service industries: advancing the research agenda

Abstract

The recent refugee influx into Europe has attracted considerable academic, political and media attention. Despite the large number of refugees entering Europe, especially following the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, there has been little academic research on the refugee migration-service industries nexus. The minimal attention on the interface between refugee migration and service industries is surprising, considering the impacts of the refugee movement on service sectors and the opportunities for refugee migrants within several service industries. In acknowledging this gap, this paper considers the development of the research on refugee migration within service industries and suggests that future studies distinguish between the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’, embrace longitudinal studies and consider a macro approach in their investigation to transcend research focus from specific service aspects to service industries as a whole. In drawing conclusions, the paper highlights key research themes and suggests directions for further research.