Job segmentation and job quality: An agriculture sector case study

This study reassesses job segmentation in UK agriculture under post-Brexit migration regulation. Using a qualitative case study of a fruit company, it examines to what extent agricultural work remains organized into distinct job quality segments, how citizenship and visa status shape placement across those segments, and how health and well-being vary across them. Findings identify a multi-tier hierarchy extending beyond a primary–secondary divide, including marginalized subsegments linked to visa dependency, nationality, and language. Health and well-being outcomes become more adverse toward the lower tiers. The study shows that segmentation is institutionally contingent and must be reassessed when migration regulation changes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Economic and Industrial Democracy
Published
2026-06-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831x261450034
Primary Topic
Rural development and sustainability
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Job segmentation and job quality: An agriculture sector case study

Benjamin Hopkins, Kristine J. Olson
Economic and Industrial Democracy
Rural development and sustainability
article

Job segmentation and job quality: An agriculture sector case study

Benjamin Hopkins, Kristine J. Olson
article en

Abstract

This study reassesses job segmentation in UK agriculture under post-Brexit migration regulation. Using a qualitative case study of a fruit company, it examines to what extent agricultural work remains organized into distinct job quality segments, how citizenship and visa status shape placement across those segments, and how health and well-being vary across them. Findings identify a multi-tier hierarchy extending beyond a primary–secondary divide, including marginalized subsegments linked to visa dependency, nationality, and language. Health and well-being outcomes become more adverse toward the lower tiers. The study shows that segmentation is institutionally contingent and must be reassessed when migration regulation changes.

Economic and Industrial Democracy
Utah Tech University (US), University of Utah (US), University of Birmingham (GB)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Rural development and sustainability
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