Brain gain or brain circulation? U.S. doctoral recipients returning to South Korea

Abstract

This study explored the reasons for current reverse mobility patterns in South Korea and how the country benefits from returning U.S. doctoral recipients in the forms of brain gain and brain circulation. Based on interviews of Korean faculty who studied in the U.S., this study found that while the political economy might help to explain why Korean students choose to study in the U.S., it does not fully capture their decisions to return. Family ties and cultural reasons transcended reasons related to economic mobility. The study also found that while both brain gain and brain circulation were present, brain adaptation was especially prevalent.

Research Productivity of Returnees from Study Abroad in Korea, Hong Kong, and Malaysia

“…The academic discourse on brain drain and brain gain has evolved to include 'brain circulation' to explain returning foreign degree holders or countries that attract highly qualified mobile scholars (e.g. Le 2008; Lee and Kim 2010;Saxenian 2002). Other studies, especially those by sociologists, have highlighted theoretical dimensions such as the dependency relationships between sending and receiving countries, and some sociological discussions about social class conflicts (Altbach 1981;Aronove 1980;Brown 2000;Hirsch 1976).…”

Formal Education as a Facilitator of Migration and Integration: A Case Study of Nigerian University Graduates

“…The analysis of the qualitative data revealed a typology of the highly skilled Nigerian migrants that may be linked to certain knowledge flows, namely brain waste, brain drain, and brain gain or brain circulation (e.g., Salt & Findlay, 1989;Chikanda, 2007;Lee & Kim, 2010;Pecoraro, 2013). Out of the 65 interviews, six types of migrants were identified: student migrants, privileged migrants, establisher migrants, dependent migrants, integrated migrants, and transmigrants.…”

“…The host country gains human capital, both the home and host society economies experience a positive impact resulting from circulatory knowledge flows, and the migrants themselves also benefit (Salt & Findlay, 1989;Findlay, 1995;Jöns, 2009;Lee & Kim, 2010). The country of destination may also see increased tax income.…”

Recognising the ordinances of Heaven: the role of Confucianism in higher education management in the People's Republic of China

“…In their study of why South Koreans who studied abroad returned to South Korea, Lee and Kim (2010) found that 'a strong value in Confucianism transcended individual economic mobility' (Lee & Kim, 2010, p. 640). For many, the return was precipitated by the wishes of family members, with which the participants were happy to comply: While traditional Western culture might perceive such decisions as 'self-denial' or 'selfless', Confucianism does not readily separate the individual from others and values the greater good of the family over the specific wants of the individual.…”