EU Immigration to New Zealand
| Research Project Title: | The Effect of European Union Knowledge Wave Migration to New Zealand |
| Project Leader: | Prof Allan Williams |
| Chief Researcher: | Dr Maureen Benson-Rea |
| Duration: | 2006 onwards |
Overview
This project aims to analyse the role of migration in the transfer of knowledge to New Zealand (NZ), focussing on two main streams of mobility from Europe: immigrants from Europe, and returned NZ migrants. It has the following specific research objectives:
- To identify the skills and knowledge transferred to NZ by European migrants
- To explore differences between migrants from different European countries, taking into account EU enlargement
- To establish the skills and competencies learnt by NZ migrants while living and working in Europe
- To analyse the extent to which returned migrants and immigrants are able to utilise their skills and competencies in the NZ economy
- To explore how the changing regulation of European-NZ migration is shaping migrants' contribution to the NZ 'knowledge wave"
A case-study research methodology will be adopted. Christchurch provides an excellent location for this purpose, given its long and continuing history for immigrants (it accounts for 8% of both total and recent migrants: NZ Migration Service 2003). Primary data will be qualitative, given the need for in-depth exploration of migrants' and returned migrants' experiences of acquiring knowledge, the recognition of these by employers and obstacles to transferring knowledge.
Research Design - significance and research context
Significance
The 'knowledge economy' has dominated recent discourses about economic development strategies. International migration is considered to be an important element in this, being a source of knowledge, skills and innovation. This debate has considerable resonance in NZ, where the 2001 census found 19% of the population were born abroad. Similarly, the growing recognition that temporary migration provides substantial opportunities for learning and knowledge transfer has significance for NZ given its OE tradition, and estimated annual return migration of c20,000 (Lidgard and Gilson 2002).
Research on New Zealand's international migration.
Extensive research (Bedford et al 2002), has established that from 1960-2000 there was total NZ immigration of c.658,000 and permanent or long term emigration of c.478,000. Returned migrants constitute approximately 1/3 of those entering the country permanently in any year. Temporary migration adds another dimension, with just over of all departing New Zealanders declaring an intention to be away for less than two years. There have been variations in the scale of migration over time, as well changes in their geographical distribution, notably the growth of migration from Asia and the Pacific Islands. Nevertheless, Europe still accounts for approximately 1/3 of new immigrants, and for almost of the total foreign born NZ population. Europe is even more important for the OE, with approximately of returned temporary migrants being from the UK alone. The eastern enlargement of the EU may further enhance and diversify these migration flows.
Migration, knowledge and innovation
The lack of skilled staff was reported as a barrier to innovation by almost 1/5 of NZ firms (Statistics NZ 2002). Immigration and returned migrants are important in filling such gaps and migrants are valued for bringing a multi-cultural approach that encourages innovation and connectedness to wider international networks that facilitate knowledge transfer (NZ Immigration Service 2000). As comparative wage levels make it difficult for NZ to compete internationally for skilled labour, it is critical that it maximise the knowledge and skills embedded in its immigrant and returned migrant populations. Research on migrants in the labour force has shown that new migrants experience an income shortfall of approximately 20% compared to similarly qualified New Zealanders, but that this differential disappears over 20-30 years (Benson Rea and Rawlinson 2003). This time lag in the utilisation of immigrants' skills is especially influenced by language competence, but prejudice, lack of information and the recognition of qualifications are also important. Less is known about the use made of the knowledge acquired by returned migrants, although there are case studies in particular industries which suggest they are positively valued (Aitken and Hall 2000). In both cases, there is little detailed research on learning and knowledge transfer.
Conceptual Framework
This project aims to extend our understanding of the skills and knowledge transfers associated with immigration and returned migration. It replaces narrow conceptualisations of human capital (based on qualifications, or years of experience) employed in most economic analyses which only hint at migrants' 'total human capital' (Li et al, 1996), with a focus on the specific learning experiences and knowledge transfers of migrants (Williams and Balaz 2004). This has three main threads:
- Disaggregating 'human capital' into specific competences, drawing on Evans' (2002: 88-89) typology: practical, attitudinal, learning, social and interpersonal, organisational and networking competences. This broader conceptualisation of skills is important as returned New Zealanders value the social development aspects of their migration very highly (Lidgard and Gilson 2002)
- Exploring how migrants' learning of competences is situated (Evans and Rainbird 2002) in the workplace and the social world of the participants (eg, refining language skills and interpersonal skills through social activities).
- Understanding knowledge transfer as a hybridisation process whereby transferable skills and competences are adapted, and combined in new ways, in new employment situations by migrants. This is shaped in part by their role as reflexive agents, but also by positionality (gender, race etc) and the social recognition by employers and fellow workers of their skills and competencies
Proposed Research Outputs
The major outcomes of this research will include:
- Collection of valuable data on migration flows useful to academics, businesses and government
- Recommendations on NZ immigration strategy toward the EU
- A book length study and series of articles in national and international journals (on policy, returnees, immigrants)
- Research workshop related to the topic in 2006
- Development of several related graduate theses