Effective Factors on Formation of Internal Migrant Networks Evidence from Sari

This paper investigates the effective factors on migration network formation among Ardabilian who migrate to Sari. Instead of using proxy variables for relationship, direct relational data are recognized by conducting survey. By employing the valuable data and based on econometric model of network formation and applying logit method for dyadic data, effective factors on network formation are studied. According to strategic view on network formation, it is expected that form a star shape network among migrants. Moreover, it is expected that migrants not only make connection based on strategic behavior, but also based on economic and social similarities. Therefore, variables such as time of arrival, distance at birthplace are used as explanatory variables as well as variables such as age, education and income as proxy for homophily are employed as control variables. Results show that time of arrival, distance at birthplace, age, education and income has significant effect on probability of making link.  Based on results, migrants don’t tend to linking with earlier migrants. The probability of linking increases among migrants who migrants between 6 to 28 years, specifically between 11 to 16 years. This means that earlier migrants are important in migrants’ network, but earliest migrants are not attractive for making connection.