Evaluating Socio-Political Changes: The Decision-Making Process of Skilled Migrants Relocating to Sweden
(2024) SMMM40 20241Department of Service Studies
- Abstract
- In today's climate of frequent global mobility and heightened competition for skilled migrants, this paper investigates how recent socio-political changes in Sweden, such as rising crime rates, heightened terrorism threats, tighter immigration policies and economic challenges have impacted the decision-making process of skilled migrants considering relocation to the country. Through qualitative research, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with skilled migrants, revealing that their relocation decisions are not solely based on external conditions, as the frequently used push and pull theory suggests. Instead, this study found that skilled migrants often make their decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of risks and rewards.... (More)
- In today's climate of frequent global mobility and heightened competition for skilled migrants, this paper investigates how recent socio-political changes in Sweden, such as rising crime rates, heightened terrorism threats, tighter immigration policies and economic challenges have impacted the decision-making process of skilled migrants considering relocation to the country. Through qualitative research, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with skilled migrants, revealing that their relocation decisions are not solely based on external conditions, as the frequently used push and pull theory suggests. Instead, this study found that skilled migrants often make their decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of risks and rewards. Participants often engage in a more nuanced decision- making process, comparing the risks in Sweden to those in their home countries while also considering pull factors like Sweden's well-developed social welfare system, high quality of life, and progressive social policies. Although recent socio-political changes in Sweden have increased perceived risks, these factors have not significantly hindered the overall migration intentions of skilled migrants.
This study extends the push-pull model by incorporating a factor called “emotional responses to perceived risks”, emphasising the moderating role of risk perception in migration decisions. This theoretical contribution provides a more nuanced understanding of migration dynamics, highlighting the psychological and emotional factors that influence skilled migrants. In addition, our study finds that despite undergoing major socio-political transformations, Sweden's strong national brand image continues to exert a powerful influence in attracting potential skilled migrants. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9168061
- author
- Yar, Hanna LU and Wu, Xuan LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SMMM40 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Skilled migration, Socio-political changes, Sweden, Risk perception, Push-pull theory, Nation branding, Migration decision-making, Qualitative research.
- language
- English
- id
- 9168061
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-25 11:13:08
- date last changed
- 2024-06-25 11:13:08
@misc{9168061,
abstract = {{In today's climate of frequent global mobility and heightened competition for skilled migrants, this paper investigates how recent socio-political changes in Sweden, such as rising crime rates, heightened terrorism threats, tighter immigration policies and economic challenges have impacted the decision-making process of skilled migrants considering relocation to the country. Through qualitative research, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with skilled migrants, revealing that their relocation decisions are not solely based on external conditions, as the frequently used push and pull theory suggests. Instead, this study found that skilled migrants often make their decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of risks and rewards. Participants often engage in a more nuanced decision- making process, comparing the risks in Sweden to those in their home countries while also considering pull factors like Sweden's well-developed social welfare system, high quality of life, and progressive social policies. Although recent socio-political changes in Sweden have increased perceived risks, these factors have not significantly hindered the overall migration intentions of skilled migrants.
This study extends the push-pull model by incorporating a factor called “emotional responses to perceived risks”, emphasising the moderating role of risk perception in migration decisions. This theoretical contribution provides a more nuanced understanding of migration dynamics, highlighting the psychological and emotional factors that influence skilled migrants. In addition, our study finds that despite undergoing major socio-political transformations, Sweden's strong national brand image continues to exert a powerful influence in attracting potential skilled migrants.}},
author = {{Yar, Hanna and Wu, Xuan}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Evaluating Socio-Political Changes: The Decision-Making Process of Skilled Migrants Relocating to Sweden}},
year = {{2024}},
}