Abstract for: Improving migrant workers’ quality of working conditions: A qualitative systems dynamics model based on a systematic review

Central and Eastern European migrant workers in the food production chain in Western Europe often face precarious working conditions. We conducted a systematic review of the literature in four databases to construct a qualitative system dynamics model of quality of working conditions. Based on the analysis of 96 papers, we identified three balancing and fifteen self-reinforcing feedback loops linked to the quality of working conditions, clustered around the themes of (1) collective action; (2) adherence to labour standards; (3) agency of workers; (4) migrants’ willingness to do precarious work; (5) language barrier; (6) mobility barrier and (7) higher work expectations. The model indicates that health, career progress and integration are important outcomes of improved quality of working conditions. Next to identifying possible intervention for enhancing quality of work, this paper demonstrates the untapped potential that system dynamics modeling provides for visualizing knowledge from systematic reviews.