Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.74.2.7
International Experience as a Possible Predictor of Students’ Emigration Tendencies
Ivona Škreblin Kirbiš
orcid.org/0000-0001-7996-2234
; Zagrebačka škola ekonomije i managementa, Zagreb, Hrvatska.
Abstract
Through international experience students acquire new knowledge and skills, thus becoming a valuable potential resource for the recovery of the Croatian economy. However, it is not clear whether, after having completed their studies, their greater competitiveness and new perspectives generate a greater tendency to stay in Croatia or to look for a job abroad. In this paper, on a sample of 118 students who study economics, we investigate emigration tendencies and attitudes related to them as well as international experience as possible predictors of emigration tendencies. Results reveal that 20% of students indicate a tendency to emigrate, 30% are undecided and 50% do not indicate a tendency to emigrate. Students who hold a more negative general attitude towards Croatia and who perceive the total circumstances in a foreign country (pull factors) to be more attractive, are more willing to emigrate. When predicting emigration tendencies with individual push–pull factors, results indicate that the strongest predictor is job opportunities. Students who assess job opportunities as being more attractive abroad than in Croatia, who hold a more negative attitude towards Croatia and who have more international experience are more willing to emigrate. Therefore, an important strategy for keeping young highly skilled people with international experience is by creating job opportunities for them.
Keywords
emigration; international experience; pull factors; push factors
Hrčak ID:
219970
URI
Publication date:
17.5.2019.
Visits: 1.540 *