Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Residential Preferences of Migrant Workers: An Analysis of the Empirical Survey Data from Seven Provinces/Districts

Ye Pengfei,China Institution of Industrial Relations     

  1. Ye Pengfei,China Institution of Industrial Relations  
  • Online:2011-03-21 Published:2011-03-21
  • Contact: Ye Pengfei,China Institution of Industrial Relations E-mail:rockfly08@gmail. com
  • About author:Ye Pengfei,China Institution of Industrial Relations 
  • Supported by:

    The research was supported by the general topic of China Institution of Industrial Relations (10YYA004):“Research on the Identity of Migrant Worker”.

     

Abstract:

Based on the data from a survey of seven provinces/districts and the field investigation of a residential community in Beijing that is densely inhabited by rural migrant workers, this paper analyzes the migrant workers’ residential preferences and the influencing factors. Migrant workers’ residential preferences demonstrate their desire to settle in cities but at the same time some rather strong signs of psychological ambivalence and ambiguity. Relative to the human capital factor, the factors of family and social support have a larger impact on migrant workers’ residential preferences. This finding confirms the core hypothesis in the paper. The workers’ residential decision is mainly under the influences of three factors: market-related factors, cultural and psychological factors, and institutional factors. Market factors apparently have the most powerful influence and the impact of the institutional factors has been weakened although they are still the foundation of those market factors.

Key words: migrant workers ,  urbanization ,  residential preferences ,  social support