The Influence of Individual Characteristics, Meso-Level Supportive Structure, Macro-level Factors and Key Mediating Processes on the Success of International Skilled Migrants in the UK: A Multi-Level Quantitative Approach

Abstract

Due to the growing scarcity for highly qualified labour in developed economies, such as the UK, international skilled migrants (ISMs) are gaining in importance. ISMs are individuals who possess a tertiary degree or higher, who initiate their own international mobility from a developing or developed country to reside permanently in a developed country without organisational support. These individuals encounter (institutional) barriers, suffer from a negative migrant status, potentially leading to discrimination and/or downward career progression, possess lower levels of personal agency, and are typically researched from a more holistic perspective. Despite the acknowledged importance of these individuals, hitherto no other study has (quantitatively) looked in detail at how these individuals attain success in their new environments, i.e. the UK. Thus, using the ecosystems theory as guiding framework, the current study aims to unveil the extent to which individual level characteristics, meso, as well as societal factors influence key processes and ultimately success of ISMs in the UK context. Furthermore, this study also aims to quantitatively evaluate benefits of Berry’s (1997) classical acculturation dynamics through a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Based on 253 questionnaire responses, the current study indicates a complex inter-related factor structure using structural equation modelling, whereby each variable has an influence on some form of migration success. On the one side of the extreme, Meso-level supportive structure illustrates the highest amount of influence pertaining to the various forms of ISMs’ migration success, while other (e.g. age and cultural intelligence - CQ) variables only had a few direct relationships to outcome variables. Furthermore, other variables (e.g. past international experience) were more inclined to have indirect effects on migration success, as their relationships were mediated by the two key process variables: acculturation and adjustment. Intriguingly the latter of which, did not render the expected holistic success, which might have been inferred previously by the adjacent expatriate literature. The same can be said for CQ, which only had one significant direct effect. Other variables (e.g. macro-level variables ethnocentrism and institutional distance) rendered expected direct and indirect relationships. Albeit, not necessarily to all respective outcome variables. Interestingly, perceived host country ethnocentrism also had an unexpected positive effect on organisational commitment, which suggests that perhaps not all variables have symmetrical effects on given outcome variables. In addition, results from the MANOVA indicate the importance of apprehending a British identity for ISMs who choose to migrate to the UK, as these individuals are most likely to attain success across the board. The vast network of direct and indirect relationships between independent and dependent variables identified in the first analysis of the current study allow the sheer complexity of ISMs come to the fore. No individual variable can be seen as all-encompassing, while at the same time some variables do not have a symmetrical influence. Thus overall, the results render a more holistic image of international skilled migration, which warrants an ecosystems approach in order to fully understand what leads to skilled migrant success. Failing to include a certain level of complexity when researching ISMs may therefore lead to over-exaggerated emphasis on given independent and dependent variables. In addition, results from the evaluation of acculturation dynamics support previous literature to a large degree. Finally, inferences are made, limitations outlined, and future avenues are subsequently discussed with regards to how to research this understudied group (i.e. ISMs) of globally mobile individuals.