Interaction effects of socioeconomic factors on long-distance commuting after disentangling residential self-selection: An empirical study in Xiamen, China

The adjustment of urban spatial structure in the process of urbanization and suburbanization leads to the separation of work and residence, which further leads to long-distance commuting. While there has been a lot of research on long-distance commuting in Western countries, the relevant studies in China are not enough. In the Chinese context, some factors deserve special attention, namely the hukou system and occupation. However, few studies have focused on the individual and interaction effects of these two factors on long-distance commuting. This paper explores the commuting behavior of different socioeconomic groups in Xiamen, China. Heckman's sample selection model was applied to data from the 2015 Xiamen household travel survey to separate the effect of socioeconomic factors and that of residential selection. Results show that the continued suburbanization of the industry attracted substantial numbers of blue-collar workers to live in the outer districts (Haicang, Jimei, Tong'an, and Xiang'an), and thus blue-collar workers are less likely than pink- and white-collar workers to be long-distance commuters in the outer districts. Among residents of the outer district, pink-collar migrants and white-collar migrants are more likely to be long-distance commuters than their local counterparts, while blue-collar migrants (a coefficient of −0.153) are less likely to be long-distance commuters than blue-collar locals (a coefficient of −0.046). For people who live in the inner districts, blue-collar locals (a coefficient of 0.256) are more likely to be long-distance commuters than blue-collar migrants (a coefficient of −0.029). These results have practical significance for providing alternative housing for migrants in urban renewal.