Virtualizing diaspora: new digital technologies in the emerging transnational space

Abstract

Since new distributed ledger technologies hold out a promise to restructure cross‐border flows of people and material resources, they affect globalization and alter transnational spaces. Their capacity to facilitate secure and disintermediated value transfer through crypto‐code and smart contracts enables novel forms of remittance transfer, resource management and digital identity verification – and may also generate new vulnerabilities. In this article, we examine the use of emerging blockchain applications in various migration and diaspora related initiatives in the emerging economies of Africa, Asia and Europe. By building on existing social networks of mutual obligation and quasi‐ethnic affinities, blockchain technologies may facilitate the ability to enlarge the scope of diasporas and change the nature of belonging, sovereignty, migration and statehood. Through exploring the selective foregrounding of mutuality and materiality in such alternative value transfer systems, we seek to explain the dynamics of trust and agency that these networks generate to extend commitments and loyalties in the transnational space.

Blockchain technology in migrant and refugee health: A scoping review

“…In the scientific literature, we found two main uses of Blockchain technology in support of migrant and refugee health: addressing the lack of personal identification [21,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] and the unavailability of health records [30,36]. Additionally, Blockchain is also used to promote data reliability in (migrant) academic certificates [18] and legal contracts [31].…”

“…Blockchain technology as a digital solution to support migrant and refugee health is a recent subject in the scientific community. It was first mentioned in the extant literature in 2018 in an article that examined Blockchain applications in migration and diaspora-related initiatives in the context of new digital technologies in globalization and transnational spaces [21]. Since then, more articles have been published, and the array of use cases has been growing.…”

An exploratory analysis of the interactions between the determinants of migratory flows

“…Regarding the influence of digital advancement on migration, there are many studies, including Chouliaraki and Georgiou (2019), Kotyrlo (2019), Nedelcu (2012), and Rodima‐Taylor and Grimes (2019), Moon et al (2010), indicating mixed results, a positive/negative relationship between changes in ICT development and migration intensity. On one hand, the analyses on this topic emphasize how ICT mechanisms may increase migration flows by creating connected lifestyles, enhancing the capacity to harness otherness and facilitating socialization.…”

Transnational Welfare Management: Accommodating Transnational Living in Norway

“…Furman et al 2008). It also shows how innovative solutions surface to tackle challenges in the transnational space (Rodima-Taylor et al 2019) Indeed, at NAV International, entrepreneurship was often used to solve issues regarding transnational information provision, communication and, relatedly, information and communications technology (ICT).…”