The migration of software developers in the context of the hegemonic influence of relational networks: A mixed-methods study

This research analyzes the relational networks influencing the migration processes of software developers who have emigrated from Turkey. The study aims to elucidate the factors that shape the migration decisions of software developers who have relocated to Europe, considering both relational and procedural contexts. The central research problem revolves around understanding how the migration motivations of these developers emerge in the interplay between their suppressed individual creativity—constrained by company scale—and their perception of recognition, which is posited to be hegemonic through the utilization of their skills. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study draws on qualitative data from in-depth interviews conducted with 20 participants who have migrated to Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Quantitative data were collected from 160 software developers who have relocated to Berlin, Germany. The qualitative data were analyzed through grounded theory methodology, utilizing open, axial, and selective coding, while the quantitative data were examined using SPSS through frequency analysis, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests. Findings indicate that the migration motivations of software developers are primarily shaped by the dominance of cultural capital development and the need for recognition. In this regard, five key actors/actants within relational networks—states, corporations, open-source software, programming languages, and knowledge-sharing platforms—have been identified as fundamental and translational agents in software developer migration. The study reveals that programming languages, due to their central role in fostering developmental needs, act as one of the primary catalysts for migration. Knowledge-sharing platforms are also identified as significant components, capable of altering network dynamics. Furthermore, the policies of states and the strategies of corporations play an integral role in holistically addressing software developers' migration motivations, thereby rendering their migration decisions more permanent. Adopting a critical perspective on anthropocentric theories, the study concludes by conducting a process-based analysis that considers all actors involved in software developer migration.