Discussion: View Thread

***Apologies for cross-posting***

Deadline for paper submissions: April 30^th, 2026

Guest Editors: Katja Wehrle, Ute-Christine Klehe, Nicole Alonso, and Rosalind Searle

Over the past decades, both forced and voluntary migration have risen significantly, affecting nearly every part of the world (Hajro et al., 2021). The growing number of migrants-whether driven to cross borders by political, environmental, economic, or personal factors-represents one of the most pressing socioeconomic and political challenges of our time. Forced migration, in particular, stands out as a grand societal challenge (Guo et al., 2020). As of 2020, an estimated 281 million people-3.6% of the global population-were international migrants (International Organization for Migration, 2024), and, by the end of 2024, 123 million people were globally displaced, including 37.9 million people with refugee and 8 million people with asylum-seeking backgrounds (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2024b). Migration-whether voluntary or forced-requires people to adapt to new labor markets, social structures, and legal frameworks. Many migrants, however, struggle to establish careers that match their skills and experience due to barriers such as limited social networks (Wehrle et al., 2019), the devaluation of career-related capital (Eggenhofer-Rehart et al., 2018), and discrimination (Cheung et al., 2022). These challenges are often aggravated for those without pre-existing support systems, who must navigate unfamiliar environments alone.

While research on migration (Hajro et al., 2021; Hajro et al., 2023; Žilinskaitė et al., 2025) and forced migration and displacement (e.g., Hoppe et al., 2017; Knappert et al., 2020; Kößler et al., 2022; Newman et al., 2018; Wehrle et al., 2024) has provided relevant insights, migration has almost exclusively been studied in economics, sociology, and political science. In contrast, studies in work and organizational psychology, careers, counselling, and management remain limited. To date, research in these fields has mostly focused on people navigating familiar labor markets (Duberley et al., 2006), while studies on structural outsiders have largely centered on expatriates-i.e., migrants who relocate voluntarily, either through organizational assignments or self-initiation, with preparation and resources (Cerdin & Le Pargneux, 2014; Harris & Brewster, 1999; Thorn, 2009). Expatriates often move to another country for a fixed term for work, with the expectation of likely returning to their country of origin. However, these are privileged groups, whose experiences do not necessarily translate to other migrants facing unfamiliar environments without tailored support or known employment (Szkudlarek et al., 2021), leaving gaps in understanding the realities of those facing work-related barriers post-migration. Scholarship has only recently begun to consider and address grand challenges arising from global migration (e.g., Buckley et al., 2017; Hajro et al., 2023). Recognizing both the economic importance of migration for receiving countries and its growing societal relevance (Hajro et al., 2021; Wehrle et al., 2025), this Special Issue seeks to bridge these knowledge gaps.

With migration and displacement becoming increasingly prevalent (UNHCR, 2024a) and carrying severe consequences for the affected individuals and their receiving countries alike (Eggenhofer-Rehart et al., 2018), scholars need to deepen their understanding of migrants' and other stakeholders' work-related circumstances, expectations, and experiences to provide evidence-based support. This is particularly relevant given that employment is central to a positive resettlement and long-term integration (Ager & Strang, 2008). Therefore, scholars need to adopt work-, career- and organizational-related perspectives to better understand and address the labor market challenges faced by different types of migrants (e.g., economic migrants, refugees, trafficked individuals) and the psychological consequences of migration and displacement (e.g., trauma), including their impact on labor market integration, workplace inclusion[1], and broader work experiences (van Tonder & Soontiens, 2013). Also, scholars need to study the perspectives, motivations, and needs of key stakeholders-e.g., migrants themselves, employers, HR managers, service providers, and policymakers-and to examine how collaborative efforts can foster positive resettlement and integration outcomes.

Potential Contributions

This call for papers highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to migration and displacement and encourages scholars to identify and use opportunities in work, career, and organizational contexts. Given the urgency of supporting people with refugee and other migrant backgrounds in rebuilding their careers post-migration, and the relevance of migration to contemporary workplaces and societal debates (Hajro et al., 2021), this Special Issue seeks to address the complex challenges of both forced and voluntary migration. Our aim is twofold: First, we invite submissions that explore how migrants navigate unfamiliar labor markets, identifying the most pressing challenges and research themes for those moving across borders without pre-established networks or institutional support. Considering the ongoing discussions on migration terminology (Castles, 2003; Donato & Ferris, 2020; Dustmann et al., 2017), we welcome research that examines diverse migrant groups and clarifies conceptualizations in migration and displacement studies. Second, we seek submissions that bridge research and practice, addressing work-related issues faced by the stakeholders involved in migration and displacement. We encourage contributions that highlight and tackle concerns for the different stakeholders involved, including, but not limited to, migrants, employers, HR managers, service providers, and policymakers. Submissions that facilitate discussions and establish sustainable collaborations between scholars and practitioners are particularly welcome.

Overall, this Special Issue examines migration and displacement through a work-, career- and organizational lens. We welcome submissions from diverse paradigmatic and methodological traditions, encouraging interdisciplinary perspectives. Specifically, we invite conceptual, empirical, and methodological contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following:

Emerging Challenges and Broader Migration Conversations

-      What are the emerging challenges for people migrating due to, e.g., climate change, natural disasters, armed conflicts, and technological shifts? What are the implications for these individuals and their subsequent resources and resilience?

-      How do different migration drivers (e.g., conflict, economic necessity, armed conflicts, climate change) shape labor market challenges?

-      How do broader societal and political conversations influence the positive integration of migrants from the perspective of different stakeholders?

-      What broader societal conversations need to be initiated, particularly concerning vulnerability, power structures, and inequality?

-      How can we enhance policymakers' understanding to shape interventions that are more effective for migrants?  

Integration and Career Development

-      How do different stakeholders define 'successful integration'? How do migrants themselves define 'career success' in contexts where their previous qualifications and experiences may be devalued? Do these criteria change over time?

-      What mechanisms contribute to positive labor market integration?

-      What role do interventions such as mentorship, sponsorship, or community support play in helping migrants to navigate unfamiliar career landscapes?

-      How do intersectional factors (e.g., migrant status, gender, disability) shape labor market integration experiences for those navigating unfamiliar economic systems?

-      How do cultural differences in work values and organizational expectations affect migrants' experiences in new labor markets?

-      How can policies at different levels (micro, meso, macro) support meaningful work integration?

Stakeholder Perspectives and Multi-Level Processes

-      How do different stakeholders (e.g., migrants, employers, policymakers) perceive migration and displacement?

-      How do different migrant categories (e.g., trafficked individuals, economic migrants) influence the treatment and perceptions of these migrants?

-      What are the multi-level processes (individual, social, organizational, societal) involved in positive resettlement and integration?

-      How do the cognitive, affective and behavioral responses of different stakeholders influence one another across stakeholders and/or time, and how do they influence migrants' overall integration?

Theoretical and Interdisciplinary Insights

-      What insights from voluntary migration research can inform studies on forced migration and displacement, and vice versa?

-      How can interdisciplinary fields (e.g., health, social psychology, history) enhance our understanding of migration and displacement?

-      What psychological consequences (e.g., trauma) affect workplace experiences, and how can theoretical frameworks guide interventions?

Challenging Assumptions

• -      How and why may specific concepts and/or theories informing our science need to be adapted to do justice to the case of (forced) migrants?
• -      What may be the unexpected fallacies that we may encounter when studying (forced) migrants? For instance, what methodological standard- or even best practice considerations may need reconsideration and possibly adjustment when researching (forced) migrants in order to arrive at valid conclusions?

Conclusion

By editing this Special Issue, we aim to advance research on migration and displacement within work, career, and organizational fields, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. We hope to bring together research that informs policy and practice for labor market integration. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these issues will contribute to more inclusive workplaces and societies, ensuring that people navigating unfamiliar contexts receive the support they need to resettle and integrate positively.

Submission Process

All papers will be subject to a double‐blind review process. Please find the Journal's guidelines and online submission system here.

References

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Katja Wehrle
Assistant Professor, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
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