International Mobility of Academics: Brain Drain and Brain Gain

• Published in: European management review Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 329 - 339
• Main Authors: Siekierski, Paulette, Lima, Manolita Correia, Borini, Felipe Mendes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2018
• Subjects: Academic staff; academics; Brain drain; Geographic mobility; Human development; Infrastructure; innovation; Innovations; internationalization; mobility; Policy making; Prestige; Quality of life; R&D; Research & development; Science and technology; Technology
• ISSN: 1740-4754; 1740-4762
• DOI: 10.1111/emre.12170

The objective of this research was to investigate which of the following factors is most important in the academics mobility decision: the impact of the science, technology and innovation (ST&I) infrastructure, or the quality of life in the host country. We considered journals of scientific prestige and research and development (R&D) institutions as proxies for ST&I and the human development index (HDI) as a proxy for quality of life. These data came from several databases. The results of a multiple linear regression show that, although the ST&I infrastructure takes precedence over quality of life, both are influential factors in academics’ mobility decisions. The results offer guidance for academics in their decisions regarding mobility, as well as offering guidance for government policy‐makers with regard to national investments to address brain drain and brain gain.