Mobilities in the Asia Pacific Region: Constellations and Diversity

Abstract

Adapting mobilities theory in the context of the Asia Pacific region, this study provides empirical evidence that demonstrates the travel–migration relationship is mediated by intercultural adaptation and moderated by the degree of travel freedom. Mobility, however is not equal among the various nationalities in the region. The likelihood of travel–migration conversion is stronger among advanced East Asian economies such as Japan and South Korea, where citizen are entitled to higher degree of freedom to travel. Citizens from Southeast Asia and China, however, are subject to certain level of travel restriction and overseas travel experience is less likely to predict their propensity for migration. Researchers triangulated and integrated findings across different methods to develop and validate measurement scales before testing hypotheses particularized for the context of the current study.