A sociological analysis of the utilization of social media in women migrant workers in developing social entrepreneurship

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to sociologically analyze the use of social media in female migrant workers in the development of social entrepreneurship. The study used a qualitative approach with a mixed method. Data was taken using in-depth interviews, observations, FGDs, and full survey enumerators. This study shows that the more frequent the intensity of migrating abroad, the higher the income (economic remittances) and social remittances (knowledge and experience) will be. Van Dijk (2006) stated that digital social media is able to penetrate the social structures that exist in society. The results of this study reveal the same phenomenon as Van Dijk's theory, female migrant workers who were previously considered a marginal group was able to create social networks through social media for the development of social entrepreneurship. The results of this study revealed a different phenomenon from the theory from Massey (1990) which stated that international migration will take place continuously (cumulative causation). This was because there have been developments of social entrepreneurship supported by social media, providing alternative jobs in the workers' hometowns.