Characteristics of Social Capital Conducive to Refugee Integration: An Analysis of TurkTelekom Call-Detail Records
Open Access
Author:
Godfrey, Brynne M
Area of Honors:
Economics
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Michael David Gechter, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Russell Paul Chuderewicz, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
call-detail records social capital economics international development refugees Syrian Refugee Crisis Turkey
Abstract:
This paper studies the relationship between social capital and socio-environmental variables in Turkey to aid refugee integration resulting from the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Call-detail record data is used, provided by Türk Telekom mobile operator, and serves as a proxy for economic and social integration. I employ a three-step methodology, consisting of identifying network integration indicators, simulating infrastructural and socioeconomic environments, and statistically assessing and correlating behavioral indicators with these environments. Results confirm that bridging social capital in Turkey is in fact positively correlated with infrastructural variables such as places of worship, schools, community centers, and social centers/facilities. Social capital appeared to be most strongly correlated to Muslim and Muslim-Sunni places of worship, representing locales where both refugees and Turkish natives share common values and beliefs.
