Online Discussion Forum And Pre-migration Information Seeking: An Affordance Perspective

Potential immigrants increasingly rely on online technologies to access needed information as they have limited offline sources of at the pre-arrival stage. The purpose this paper is investigate role discussion forums in facilitating potential immigrants’ relevant about host country labor market. This draws extant literature computer-mediated communication and a qualitative content analysis 363 forum discussions explore phenomenon increased use by prospective Canada market information. We draw existing concepts technology affordances knowledge exchanges contextualize them dynamics integration. found that facilitate integration enabling continuous exchange across time space. For immigrants, afforded ability seek employment advice, share migration experiences, establish connections with similar others, communicate individuals receiving country, gained can help calibrate their expectations make decisions, plan for migration. More adjusted better preparation pre-migration turn adjustment post-migration. Overall, highlights importance sharing co-creation new resources between country. uncovered several unique enacted immigrants. findings inform policy makers providing low-cost training available space assist post