BRAIN drain – which refers to the movement of talented individuals from lesser developed countries to the developed ones – was once thought as irreversible.
However, under the impact of technology, there is a possibility more and more talented individuals are returning to their countries of origin.
But the verdict is still out there as to whether they have completely dislocated themselves from their “adopted” countries or if their movement is temporary.
One thing that is certain is that there is certainly ta wo-way movement of talents brought about by the movement of capital and technology at an unpredictable level.
This movement of individuals back to their home countries is termed “reverse brain drain” and it has certainly impacted the earlier process of brain drain.
The fact there is possibility that individuals can locate themselves anywhere in the world with the assistance of information technology speaks much of the global movement of talents.
Financial considerations and family connectivity might play an important role as to why there is this reverse movement.
If a person can be located in Malaysia but work for a company in Singapore and paid in the republic’s currency, it makes sense from a financial point of view given the cost of living is lower in Malaysia than in Singapore.
Not to mention there are also other factors such as family connectivity and other possible advantages.
The same can be said for an Indian national returning to locate himself in India but with employment in the US and paid in US currency.
It makes sense for this relocation, given the far-reaching changes at the global level especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic brought about changes in terms of how we work, where we work and how we connect by using devices such as laptops and mobile phones.
At least for now the nomadic movement of talented individuals might have an indirect impact on the lesser developed countries.
The question here is, what are the direct benefits of talents if they are located within their national borders but work with organisations in developed nations?
This is a good question but unfortunately, there are no simple answers.
However, the fact remains that talented individuals – particularly those working for multinational companies – might not be just relating to the parent organisations located in developed countries but also the various branches or subsidiaries in lesser developed countries and even in the countries of their location.
The US trade war with China has brought about changes to the effect that large multinational companies especially the American ones have sought to diversify their operations by breaking them down in component parts in their different global locations.
Nomadic movement of talents is not just confined to the returnees, but also individuals from developed countries.
With encouragement by various governments in order to attract talents, liberal visa provisions for extended stay have been provided for individuals and families.
However, there are requirements to be adhered to in the application for stay and work.
It is very difficult to capture the entire dynamics of this nomadism but it is happening faster than we want to believe.
The traditional notion of brain drain and how less-developed countries are losing out in talents need to be re-examined in the light of the rapid global challenges of the movement of capital, technology and communication revolution.
Information technology seems to be the key in the need to re-conceptualise whether there is brain drain, reversal of brain drain or multi-lateral movement of talented individuals known by the jargon “nomadism”. – Aug 11, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
