University of Twente Student Theses

The immigration of foreign academics, scientists and engineers to Germany: what factors influence the immigration of academics, scientists and engineers from third countries to Germany?

Spanke, Gregor (2013) The immigration of foreign academics, scientists and engineers to Germany: what factors influence the immigration of academics, scientists and engineers from third countries to Germany?

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Abstract:	In times of a growing need for highly qualified manpower, Germany is faced with the problem of attracting foreign academics and scientists. Especially the sub-group of engineers is essential for its export-led economy. Against this background, the question must be asked what kind of factors influence the immigration of academics, scientists and engineers from third countries to Germany. According to the theory of talent mobility by Solimano (2008), it is assumed that factors like international differences in earnings and development gaps, agglomeration and concentrations effects, linguistic compatibility, networks and sociocultural affinity as well as policy regimes and immigration policies might be essential determinants that can either attract or push back foreign academics and scientists. First, this bachelor thesis tries to give an overview about the current situation in Germany, its necessity to attract more foreign academics, scientists and especially engineers and presents already existing reforms the German government has implemented in order to achieve this goal. Second, by using the theory of Solimano, hypotheses about the possible influence of the specific factors are formulated and tested by conducting expert interviews with governmental officials, lobby groups and research organizations and foundations. With regard to the factor of policy regimes and immigration policies, special emphasis was put on the German Immigration Act in 2005. Further, due to the special role of engineers in the German economy, this bachelor thesis tries to identify possible differences in the influence of the distinct factors for academics and scientists in general and the specific sub-group of engineers. According to the interviews, it can be concluded that international differences in earnings have a greater impact on the immigration of engineers than on academics and scientists in general. Regarding academics and scientists, the influence of networks and immigration policies are essential, whereas socio-cultural affinity plays only a minor role. Moreover, the experts refer to additional factors that are important for the immigration of academics derived from the interviews. Finally, possible solutions are presented to improve the conditions for the immigration of academics and researchers from third countries to Germany.
Item Type:	Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:	Business Administration BSc (56834)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/62766
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