The Role of Online Discussion Forums in Newcomers' Labour Market Integration in Canada

Abstract

This dissertation explores the phenomenon of increased use of online discussion forums by newcomers to Canada to access labour market knowledge. Drawing on extant literature on social support, knowledge exchange, and online technology affordances, I examine the role of online discussion forums in newcomers' labour market integration, through an inductive content analysis of 574 discussion threads. Results of this study suggest that the role of online discussion forums is to provide knowledge resources, in the form of information and advice support, which help newcomers make migration decisions and manage their expectations and preparedness, which in turn has the potential to help newcomers with adjustment and labour market integration in the new country.Lastly, I would like to thank and dedicate this dissertation to my parents for their endless patience, encouragement and optimism.iv

Organizing for Immigrant Workforce Integration

“…Multiple organizational actors are involved in the process of QIs' work integration, which is a long-term process that may start before migration and continue for many years after settlement. As QIs contemplate migration, they seek information and support to manage their expectations about employment opportunities and challenges, prepare for migration financially and psychologically, and make migration decisions (Gulanowski, 2018). After securing employment, QIs continuously negotiate their place within the new organization and society.…”

An Exploration of Transcultural Othering in the Print Media: Asian Communities During COVID-19 in Canada and the US

“…the transcultural othering of Asians) are communicated within their given contexts, allowing for a better understanding of the intentions of an individual, group or institution (Neuendorf, 2017;White & Marsh, 2006). This is enabled through the methodological coding of text data, such that smaller categories emerge, enabling key themes, patterns and correlations to be studied (Gulanowski, 2018;Elo & Kyngäs, 2008). Given the nature of this study as one that is interested in contexts as much as content, and the pre-existing use of the methodology within the extant literature, qualitative content analysis provides an appropriate methodological approach for this research.…”

Game-based Learning and Co-Design with and for Newcomer Children’s Social Adjustment

“…Qualitative Content Analysis: A content analysis of texts suggests that they are rich data sources that can reveal valuable information about specific phenomena. The content analysis aims to increase our understanding and provide new knowledge about the phenomenon (Gulanowski, 2018;Kleinheksel, Rockich-Winston, Tawfik, & Wyatt, 2020;Kondracki, Wellman, & Amundson, 2002). Content analysis was carried out on the codesign workshops data to explore the children's approach to and process of designing social adjustment games.…”

“…The qualitative content analysis process is divided into three stages: "selecting the unit of analysis, creating categories and establishing themes" (Cho & Lee, 2014, p. 10). The creation of categories is a method of reducing large volumes of content into smaller groups Gulanowski, 2018). A data set with similar meanings and associations are grouped into mutually exhaustive and exclusive categories, and no data set should be assigned to more than one category or between categories Weber, 1990).…”

“…The key difference between a deductive and inductive qualitative content analysis is how initial codes and categories are developed Gulanowski, 2018). In the deductive approach, initial codes, categories and themes are developed from extant relevant theory or research, whereas in an inductive approach, initial codes and categories are developed directly from the data Gulanowski, 2018).…”