The contribution of networks to immigrant insertion into the informal economy

Purpose This article seeks to explain the role of networks in facilitating immigrant insertion into the labour market. Design/methodology/approach Participant observation and semi‐structured interviews were conducted in Tuscany in Italy with immigrants working in the agricultural, building and family care sectors. Findings Networks have been discovered to play some role in providing information on vacancies but a less important role in providing guarantees to employers. Unlike much previous research, therefore, this study does not find that co‐ethnic networks enable new immigrants to find jobs in the informal economy. Originality/value This is one of the few contemporary empirical studies on immigrants in the informal economy in Italy and the role that networks play in gaining entry.