Abstrakt
Cross-border commuting is a distinct type of labor mobility that requires special consideration. While various models of labor mobility, primarily focused on migration, have been developed, they can be adapted to explain cross-border commuting from a theoretical standpoint.
Understanding the dynamics of cross-border commuting is crucial given the ongoing integration and disintegration processes within the EU, involving both old and new member states and their respective labor forces. Like other research areas, initial models of labor mobility have been expanded to include additional factors, enabling a better understanding of EU labor mobility and integration processes.
These models have evolved toward interdisciplinary approaches, recognizing the significance of spatial dimensions. Especially in the case of cross-border commuters, distance plays a crucial role, particularly for those who commute on a daily basis.
Unlike migration, cross-border commuting primarily occurs in EU border regions and is therefore a phenomenon confined to specific geographic areas. Nevertheless, there are identifiable similarities in the push and pull factors influencing both migration and commuting, which should not be overlooked.
Given the assumption that different forms of labor mobility demand tailored policy recommendations, this chapter presents a theoretical approach that utilizes existing models of labor mobility to describe cross-border commuting and derive policy implications. The descriptive and theoretical approach adopted in this chapter contributes to the overall understanding of labor mobility within the EU.