Global Mobility of Highly Skilled People - Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Self-initiated Expatriation

This volume examines self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), the category of highly skilled people whose movement from one country to another is by choice. Although they are not forced to relocate due to work, conflict or natural disaster, their migration pattern is every bit as complex. The book challenges previous theoretical approaches that take for granted a more simplistic view of this population, and advances that mobility of SIEs relates to the expatriates themselves, their conditions and the different structures intervening in their career life course. With their visible increase worldwide, this book positions itself as a nexus for this on-going discussion, while linking self-initiated expatriation to the theoretical landscape of international skilled migration and mobility. Major interests that catch attention are transnational practices, work-related experiences and personal life course, including forms of inequalities in their migration experiences. The book identifies forms and drivers of migratory behaviour and provides an argument concerning the broader processes of mobility and integration. As such, this book constitutes a departure point for future research in terms of theoretical underpinnings and empirical rigor on global highly skilled mobility of SIEs. The collection of empirical case studies offers an insightful analysis for policy makers, concerned stakeholders and organizations to better cope with this form of migration.

Dr. Driss Habti (sociology) is currently a postdoctoral researcher at University of Eastern Finland, Karelian Institute, Joensuu campus, Finland. He first received his master degree in sociology of language, and later his master of sociology in cultural diversity at the University of Joensuu. His main research interests include international migration and ethnic relations, global highly skilled mobility, career research and sociology of work, ethnicity and cultural diversity. He taught courses in cultural diversity, globalization and migration. He co-edited two special issues on international highly skilled migration. He also has a number of internationally published articles on issues related to international highly skilled migration, internationalization of higher education, ethnicity and cultural diversity in Europe. He participated in local and international seminars and conferences presenting his main research to academic audiences.   

Maria Elo holds a PhD in Economics, Åbo Akademi University, Finland. She is a post-doctoral researcher at Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland and a Migration Fellow at the Institute of Migration, Finland. She is the founder and leader of the Diaspora Networks in International Business-research platform. Her research focuses on international business, internationalization processes, business networks, lifecycle, migration, ex- and repatriation, diaspora networks, diaspora entrepreneurship and transnational entrepreneurship. Her work is presented in various conferences and published in books and journals, such as Industrial Marketing Management, International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, and International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business.