LABOR MIGRATION: EVOLUTION OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND MODERN SCIENTIFIC INTERPRETATIONS

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive study of the evolution of theoretical approaches to labor migration as a complex and multidimensional social phenomenon. It examines the significant transformations that labor migration has undergone in the context of globalization challenges and the digital revolution. The historical development of academic concepts is analyzed, moving from classical and neoclassical economic models, which interpret migration as a response to labor market disparities, to modern interdisciplinary approaches that integrate political, cultural, institutional, and cognitive factors. It is determined that contemporary academic discourse is characterized by a shift from unified macroeconomic explanations to more flexible analyses at the meso- and micro-levels. These analyses take into account the influence of social networks, symbolic capital, individual motivations, and state policy. Particular attention is paid to new forms of mobility, such as virtual labor migration, employment in the gig economy, and algorithmic labor regulation through digital platforms. A comparative analysis of modern theories, including transnationalism, social network theory, the institutional approach, and Bourdieu’s capital conceptualizations, is conducted. The explanatory potential and methodological limitations of each model are assessed. It is argued that no single theory is universally applicable, and an integrative approach that synthesizes knowledge from various scientific disciplines is more appropriate. Interdisciplinarity is presented as a key condition for shaping effective theoretical and applied paradigms of migration analysis in the 21st century. The practical relevance of the research lies in substantiating directions for improving migration policy. This includes taking into account digital realities, labor market needs, the protection of migrants’ rights, and ensuring social integration in host societies. The article lays the groundwork for further empirical research focused on studying changes in labor flow structures and adaptation strategies. The materials presented may be useful for researchers, migration policy experts, government officials, and representatives of international organizations.