Blitz, Brad K; (2010) Highly skilled migration. In: Denemark, Robert and Marlin-Bennett, Renée, (eds.) The International Studies Encyclopedia, 12 Volume Set. (pp. 3293-3320). Oxford University Press (OUP): Oxford, UK.

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Abstract

Over the past fifteen years there has been greater interest in the study of highly skilled migrants. This interest can be partially explained by Western dependence on foreignborn experts and the corresponding growth of highly skilled migration within migration streams as well as the consolidation of international and supranational regulatory structures (Cornelius et al. 2001; Iredale 2001; Lavenex 2006). Recent research on the changing nature of work suggests that international flows of highly skilled labor are increasing and that highly skilled workers already move fairly freely between many countries. There are also many political forces influencing the movement of skilled people around the globe: the continued efforts of states to address domestic labor shortages and restock through preferential immigration policies and international recruitment drives are ever more important. This trend has contributed to the development of a small but significant body of literature on professionals and transnational migration. For social scientists, the unprecedented movement of highly skilled people across the globe calls into question earlier approaches to the study of migration. Where international highly skilled workers were treated in the classical sociological literature on migration as a small population that reflected both the potential for human capital transfers between states and, more controversially, a corresponding “brain drain” from source countries, the realities of transnational migration now complicate this picture (Salt and Findlay 1989; Koser and Salt 1997; Favell 2008). That is not to say that brain drain is a thing of the past – research on the movement of migrants to the United States from Central America and Caribbean countries confirms that overall rates of immigration are above 10 percent, and in some localities above 50 percent (Carrington and Detragiache 1998). However, on a global level, the dynamics have changed significantly. Recent studies by the OECD point to the rising number of highly skilled people from Asia relocating to the West, as well as a significant increase in the exchange of skilled workers among industrialized countries (OECD 2002). Contemporary movements of highly skilled workers consist of both short- and long-term migrations, return flows, and multiple relocations between advanced states as well as between advanced and developing regions. Also included are well-educated but potentially low-wage or non-earning populations such as students (Khadria 2001), refugees, and asylum seekers (Zolberg 1989), who nonetheless affect national economies and have created national and international markets, for example in social and legal services and higher education, respectively. This essay is divided into three parts. The first seeks to define the research context. It describes the historical development of highly skilled migration from 1945 to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the expansion of the European Union and other forms of regional cooperation which have given rise to important trade liberalizing agreements, producing a truly global migration market and the policy context for much contemporary research. The role of state-sponsored recruitment drives, international return programs, and national immigration policies which give priority to skilled individuals over other categories of migrant are examined. The second part examines the relevance of classical and more recent theories of migration, with particular reference to the literature on professionals, transnational networks, circular and return migration. The third part seeks to establish the profile of highly skilled migrants today and evaluates the measurements used by international agencies and the quality of existing data sources. This essay concludes by considering areas for future research.

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