Gendering Migration Determinants: a Phenomenological Analysis of Professional Immigrant Women from India
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Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Theses and Dissertations Abraham S. Fischler College of Education 2017 Gendering Migration Determinants: A Phenomenological Analysis of Professional Immigrant Women From India Noreen Ohlrich Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd Part of the Education Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Noreen Ohlrich. 2017. Gendering Migration Determinants: A Phenomenological Analysis of Professional Immigrant Women From India. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. (320) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/320. This Dissertation is brought to you by the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Gendering Migration Determinants: A Phenomenological Analysis of Professional Immigrant Women From India by Noreen Ohlrich An Applied Dissertation Submitted to the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Nova Southeastern University 2017 Approval Page This applied dissertation was submitted by Noreen Ohlrich under the direction of the persons listed below. It was submitted to the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education at Nova Southeastern University. Vanaja Nethi, PhD Committee Chair Mary Clisbee, EdD Committee Member Kimberly Durham, PsyD Interim Dean ii Statement of Original Work I declare the following: I have read the Code of Student Conduct and Academic Responsibility as described in the Student Handbook of Nova Southeastern University. This applied dissertation represents my original work, except where I have acknowledged the ideas, words, or material of other authors. Where another author’s ideas have been presented in this applied dissertation, I have acknowledged the author’s ideas by citing them in the required style. Where another author’s words have been presented in this applied dissertation, I have acknowledged the author’s words by using appropriate quotation devices and citations in the required style. I have obtained permission from the author or publisher—in accordance with the required guidelines—to include any copyrighted material (e.g., tables, figures, survey instruments, large portions of text) in this applied dissertation manuscript. Noreen Ohlrich______________ Name April 23, 2017_______________ Date iii Acknowledgments I thank God for every positive energy that supported me throughout this dissertation process. I have been very fortunate to work with an exceptional committee. Dr. Nethi, I cannot thank you enough for your constant encouragement, guidance, and support. I also thank you for having Dr. Clisbee on our team. I deeply thank the women who participated in this study. I will never forget their enthusiasm, and how much I have learned from their insightful experiences. I want to thank my family. Dad and Mom, your constant love, and life journeys will always be a source of strength for me. I also thank my sisters, brothers-in-law, and my three beautiful nephews. You all mean more to me than any words can express. I am so happy to celebrate achievements like this with you. We all keep Nina in our hearts as we look forward to celebrating more of our accomplishments. She passed on, but is never forgotten. Last, but never the least, I want to thank my husband. Peter, you are the driver of every element of happiness in my life. You are my eternal companion and mentor who has always reminded me to follow my heart. I would have never made it to where I am without you. I hear your comforting voice as I type these words…telling me to be so very happy because I finally did it. However, in truth, we survived this roller coaster of a ride together. I dedicate this work and every good fortune in my life to you. iv Abstract Gendering Migration Determinants: A Phenomenological Analysis of Professional Immigrant Women From India. Noreen Ohlrich, 2017: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. Keywords: brain drain, gender issues, global approach, human capital, India, migration patterns, skilled occupations, women The economic contributions of highly qualified (HQ) labor migrants from developing countries fuel the global talent race. The problem is that little is known about the women in this sought out talent pool. This phenomenological study addressed this neglected gendered dimension by exploring how professional Asian Indian women experienced the following aspects of international migration: (a) gendering international mobility, (b) women and the race for global talent, (c) policies and the labor market, (d) cultural stigma, (e) brain drain versus diaspora networks, and (f) the Asian Indian woman paradox. Professional Asian Indian women from greater Frankfurt am Main, Germany were recruited though purposive sampling to participate in this phenomenological study. The participants took part in semi-structured interviews that resulted in various themes. These themes emerged from their responses to questions underscoring three research questions: (a) how do HQ migrant women from India experience the global talent race? (b) how do HQ migrant women from India describe their push-pull migration factors? and (c) how do HQ migrant women from India experience social and economic ties between India and the countries they migrate to? The essences behind these themes offered in-depth, gendered understandings about HQ migration determinants based on their lived experiences. The findings in this qualitative study resulted from an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The participants took part in a total of eleven Skype and telephone interviews. All three participants (a) migrated to Germany from India, (b) held higher tertiary education qualifications, and (c) were experienced professional women between the ages 30-70. The analysis revealed ten emergent themes: father figure, expectations, the education advantage, social status, emancipation, the media versus India, diaspora, made for mobility, change and India, and giving back is sensitive. The research could be a useful source of information for diversity strategists, and talent recruitment leaders of transnational organizations. The findings can further inform multidisciplinary studies about gendered considerations in human capital migration. In addition, the outcomes of this study can serve as an advisory source for highly qualified women from India, and other regions of the global South who aspire for overseas opportunities. Finally, this study can be used as a motivational source for professional migrant woman interested in contributing to transnational socio-economic development. v Table of Contents Page Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 1 Nature of the Problem ............................................................................................. 2 Topic ....................................................................................................................... 4 Overview of Highly Qualified Asian Indian Migrants ........................................... 5 The Research Problem ............................................................................................ 7 Deficiencies in the Evidence ................................................................................. 16 Audience ............................................................................................................... 17 Definition of Terms............................................................................................... 18 Purpose Statement ................................................................................................. 20 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 22 Gendering International Mobility ......................................................................... 22 Women and the Race for Global Talent ............................................................... 26 Policies and the Labor Market .............................................................................. 32 Cultural Stigma ..................................................................................................... 35 Brain Drain Versus Diaspora Networks ............................................................... 38 The Asian Indian Woman Paradox ....................................................................... 44 Methodology Used in Prior Research ................................................................... 48 Summary of Literature Review ............................................................................. 50 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 54 Chapter 3: Methodology ................................................................................................... 56 Qualitative Research Design ................................................................................