Diaspora Knowledge Transfer as a Development Strategy for Capturing the Gains of Skilled Migration

Abstract

Diaspora knowledge transfer views skilled migration as a process that does not necessarily lead to the loss of skills and knowledge for sending countries. Rather, it sees skilled migration as contributing to the intellectual, social, and economic capital of migrants, for which home countries gain through knowledge transfer. The paper revisits the concept to address conflicting views of its viability by analyzing how it works and the factors and conditions that affect its application. The paper discusses diaspora, home country, and host country factors and conditions that influence this complex process. The policy implications are discussed in the conclusion.