Brain drain or brain circulation: A study of returnee professionals in India

The circulation of managers, entrepreneurs and professionals between developed and developing nations is an important trend engendered by globalization. This new dimension of international migration is passing through an experience of brain drain and then followed by brain circulation in many parts of the globe. Brain circulation is a process in which talented immigrants return to their homeland with technology, capital, managerial and institutional know-how, to harness promising opportunities. In India, specifically many individuals are returning back home after completing higher education in other countries. India survived the recession era with great resilience and this has promped the managers, young entrepreneurs and skilled professionals to take up jobs in their home country or start with a new business resulting in brain circulation. The opportunities available for these returnee individuals are far higher than their counterparts due to the economic reforms shaping up in India.

This paper incorporates survey of a select group of Indian immigrant professionals who returned back from foreign countries and took up jobs or started businesses here. This research was carried out to ascertain the reasons behind their return, perceptions about the entrepreneurial climate in India and also the usefulness of knowledge and experience gained in foreign countries.