Online Communities of Spanish Migrants in Times of Austerity

Abstract

This article examines the perceptions held by Spanish migrants of the extent to which social media facilitate the development of a sense of community within their host towns and cities. Focusing particularly on the creation of Facebook groups called 'Españoles en…' ('Spaniards in…'), the study explores the role that these online tools play in the development of connections between Spanish citizens who reside in the same locality. The aim, therefore, is to ask how they try to maintain their socio-cultural identities within a diasporic community, especially one that has suffered the effects of economic austerity. Based on the results of a qualitative survey answered by Spanish migrants living in Britain, France and Germany, the article sheds light on the relative usefulness -as perceived by the migrants themselves -of online engagement in the maintenance and development of a communal mind-set. The piece suggests that the migrants' individual backgrounds and experiences, including their individual political stances, skills, socioeconomic circumstances, and regional affiliations, seem to play a more important role in shaping their conceptions of the online 'community', than any broader assumptions made about unitary national identity or the role of technology.

Digital Communication Tools for Fostering Career Advancement and Sustaining Interpersonal Relationships

“…Although the literature on highly skilled migrants is extensive regarding the impact of ICT, there are few works whose primary focus is highly skilled professionals (some examples are González Ramos, 2017;Giglia, 2001;Ramírez, 2013;Ryan et al, 2015;Sanz Sabido, 2017). But they do point out that highly skilled migrants experience and use a different angle of ICT, since they pursue different mobility goals, and have advanced competences and complete access to electronic devices.…”

“…It shortens social distances, creating the illusion of total accessibility, letting users meet people with similar interests across the world, and sustaining diaspora (Hiller and Franz, 2004;Sassen, 2000;Tejada and Bolay, 2010). Social networks may contribute to a type of political activism and the building of a feeling of community (Barber, 2008;Gueron and Spevacek, 2008;Sanz Sabido, 2017), sharing worries and advice among nationals residing in the same location. As dystopia, scholars have questioned these feelings of identity (Sanz Sabido, 2017), have highlighted the discontinuity with regard to physical environment and questioned the time investment in nourishing virtual relationships instead of real ones (Hiller and Franz, 2004).…”

“…Social networks may contribute to a type of political activism and the building of a feeling of community (Barber, 2008;Gueron and Spevacek, 2008;Sanz Sabido, 2017), sharing worries and advice among nationals residing in the same location. As dystopia, scholars have questioned these feelings of identity (Sanz Sabido, 2017), have highlighted the discontinuity with regard to physical environment and questioned the time investment in nourishing virtual relationships instead of real ones (Hiller and Franz, 2004). Likewise, Nie (2001) talks about the mobile phone paradox because it enables frequent communication while impeding significant real-life interactions such as visual contact and touching.…”

“…For instance, Mihaela uses ICT to engage with the Romanian diaspora and to be an active player in Romanian issues. Spanish scientists have launched intense cyber campaigns to increase R&D investments and promote the return of talent from abroad (this has also been mentioned by Sanz Sabido, 2017).…”

“…Usually, scholars have addressed this topic by blurring the professional and personal uses of ICT, mainly students, scientists, and expats (Barber, 2008;Hannaford, 2015;Nie, 2001;Ramírez, 2013;Sanz Sabido, 2017). This article explores separately how highly skilled migrants use ICT in professional and personal spheres.…”