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A mixed methods research on the influence of remittances on capabilities: A case study of Kenyan Middle East returnees and their households living in Nairobi

Kabarita, Hiram Kiongo LU (2022) MIDM19 20221
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study's primary objective was to understand how remittances from international labour migration influences the capabilities of Kenyan returnees from the Middle East. The study examined how migrants and their families used the money they sent home, what kind of education they got, how they got medical care, and how they started businesses. Sen's capacity approach and the new economics of labour migration (NELM) were applied to understand better the influence on capabilities, influencing factors, and decision-making processes for temporary migration. Applying convergent mixed methods, the study employed a descriptive survey methodology. Forty study participants and eight key informants were interviewed in a semi-structured way to get... (More)
This study's primary objective was to understand how remittances from international labour migration influences the capabilities of Kenyan returnees from the Middle East. The study examined how migrants and their families used the money they sent home, what kind of education they got, how they got medical care, and how they started businesses. Sen's capacity approach and the new economics of labour migration (NELM) were applied to understand better the influence on capabilities, influencing factors, and decision-making processes for temporary migration. Applying convergent mixed methods, the study employed a descriptive survey methodology. Forty study participants and eight key informants were interviewed in a semi-structured way to get qualitative data. According to the study, most remittances were for household consumption and related expenses. Remittances enabled returnees to enrol their children in private schools, which are perceived to offer a better quality of education. Moreover, the study found that returning migrants could afford to access more healthcare services and could afford health insurance. Furthermore, the study found that international labour migration influenced business formation and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that international labour migration positively influences the migrant and household’s capabilities as it enhances household consumption through remittances and affords quality education and healthcare investments. (Less)
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author
Kabarita, Hiram Kiongo LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Capabilities, remittances, international development, New Economic Migration Theory, Household consumption, Health, Education, Kenya, Nairobi
language
English
id
9096982
date added to LUP
2022-09-14 13:46:51
date last changed
2022-09-14 13:46:51
@misc{9096982,
  abstract     = {{This study's primary objective was to understand how remittances from international labour migration influences the capabilities of Kenyan returnees from the Middle East. The study examined how migrants and their families used the money they sent home, what kind of education they got, how they got medical care, and how they started businesses. Sen's capacity approach and the new economics of labour migration (NELM) were applied to understand better the influence on capabilities, influencing factors, and decision-making processes for temporary migration. Applying convergent mixed methods, the study employed a descriptive survey methodology. Forty study participants and eight key informants were interviewed in a semi-structured way to get qualitative data. According to the study, most remittances were for household consumption and related expenses. Remittances enabled returnees to enrol their children in private schools, which are perceived to offer a better quality of education. Moreover, the study found that returning migrants could afford to access more healthcare services and could afford health insurance. Furthermore, the study found that international labour migration influenced business formation and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that international labour migration positively influences the migrant and household’s capabilities as it enhances household consumption through remittances and affords quality education and healthcare investments.}},
  author       = {{Kabarita, Hiram Kiongo}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{A mixed methods research on the influence of remittances on capabilities: A case study of Kenyan Middle East returnees and their households living in Nairobi}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}