Integration beyond modelsan empirical outlook to the impact of integration models

Abstract

Integration models are often viewed as a necessary tool for framing integration policies, and for measuring integration efficiency. Aside from these applications, however, there is still a striking lack of empirical work exploring the impact these models have on specific integration outcomes in given countries. The objective of this article is to evaluate the role national contexts play in observed variations on the 'model dimesion', using on two empirical indicators: labour market participation and educational performance. By using a multilevel approach and high quality comparable data (European labour Force Survey and the Program for International Student Assessment), this paper compares outcomes in a number of immigration countries and seeks to rank them according to their overall approach to integration. In doing so, this paper proposes the relevance of relating integration outcomes to specific institutions in the labour market and educational system.