The thesis focuses on the role of work, industriousness, and diligence in the Bosnian
immigrant community in Slovenia, with an emphasis on their cultural habits and social
connections. Slovenian society has strong ideas about what it means to be "diligent", which
influences the perception of immigrants, especially those who work in manual and lower-paid
jobs. This brings to the fore the debate on the stereotype of the "diligent" or "lazy" immigrant.
The theoretical framework of the work consists of two dimensions: social exchange theory,
which shows how individuals and groups exchange social, cultural, and economic resources,
and Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, which locates child development in a system of
influences. The different levels of the environment - the family, the education system, cultural
values, laws, and customs - have a significant impact on a child's growth and integration into
society. The empirical part of the Master's thesis combines a survey, a netnographic study, and
an autoethnographic analysis. By examining a broader range of experiences, the empirical
study aims to show how work and diligence contribute to the integration, success, and
visibility of immigrants from the Bosnian community in Slovenian society. Immigration and
integration processes raise several important questions about changes in social relations and
social perceptions, and self-perceptions, where qualities such as hard work and diligence play
a key role.
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