Reconceptualization of “Brain Drain”

Abstract

Traditional approach to the issue of “brain drain” and “brain gain” focuses on outflow and inflow of migration of academics and professionals between countries of origins and destinations. It is suggested that, in the international labor market, the developing countries have experienced the problem of brain drain while the developed countries have benefited from brain gain in the process of globalization and international mobility of talent. From this perspective, “brain drain” or “brain gain” is primarily measured by the number of talented people who have “moved in” or “moved out” of a country, but not the extent to which the “brain” has been utilized. This study redefines the notion of “brain drain” by focusing on the actual utilization of professional talents. Previous research findings show that despite attractive Canadian immigration policy and the increasing number of professional immigrants, Canada as a developed country has the problem of “brain waste” due to its systemic barriers such as the devaluation of foreign credentials and non-recognition of foreign work experience for professional Chinese immigrants. At the same time, China as a developing country has benefited from contributions made by highly educated professionals/students returning to their home country through its attractive and rewarding opportunities for those who have attained knowledge and skills from overseas. China has become a model of “brain gain” for developing countries by implementing a series of open and favorable policies to attract top-notch overseas Chinese and foreign talents to help promote the economic development and global competitiveness of the nation.