Multiple frames of reference : Why international student workers in Australia tolerate underpayment

This article advances research on why international students, who comprise a growing segment of the workforce in many countries, are underpaid. By revisiting Piore's dual frames of reference theory, the article builds an important knowledge base around migrant workers' tolerance of low pay...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic and industrial democracy 2021-05, Vol.42 (2), p.336-354
Main Author: Clibborn, Stephen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Foreign students
Frame of reference
International students
Knowledge base
Labor market
Labour market
Low income
Low pay
Migrant workers
Migrants
Multimethod techniques
Overseas employment
Tolerance
Workforce
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Summary:This article advances research on why international students, who comprise a growing segment of the workforce in many countries, are underpaid. By revisiting Piore's dual frames of reference theory, the article builds an important knowledge base around migrant workers' tolerance of low pay. The research uses mixed methods incorporating a survey of 1433 international students, and interviews with 40 of them. Drawing on segmented labour market theory and examining workers' 'multiple frames of reference', the article seeks to explain migrant workers', in this case international students', tolerance of extensive and persistent underpayment. While migrants' reference to lower pay in their home country has long been accepted as explanation for their acceptance of low pay, it is not found to be a significant factor. The new concept of 'peer frame of reference' is developed to explain their tolerance of underpayment. [Author abstract]
ISSN:0143-831X
1461-7099
DOI:10.1177/0143831X18765247