1: Introduction
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Working Papers WP 2019-02 Centre for German and European Studies (CGES) Sanjana Tewari Indian Human Capital in Europe: A Sociological Analysis of Employment and Life Strategies. Case Study: Rome and Saint Petersburg WP 2019-02 2019 № 2 Bielefeld / St. Petersburg Working Papers WP 2019-02 Centre for German and European Studies Bielefeld University St. Petersburg University Centre for German and European Studies (CGES) CGES Working Papers series publishes materials prepared within different activities of the Centre for German and European Studies both in St. Petersburg and in Germany. The CGES supports educational programmes, research and scientific dialogues. In accordance with the CGES mission, the Working Papers are dedicated to the interdisciplinary studies of different aspects of German and European societies. The paper is based on an MA thesis supervised by Dr. Mikhail Sinyutin and defended in June 2019 at the MA 'Studies in European Societies' supported by the CGES. The thesis was recommended for publication in the CGES Working Papers series by the Examination Committee as one of the best theses defended by the students of the MA SES in 2019. Sanjana Tewari graduated from the Faculty of Sociology (MA ‘SES’) in 2019. Contact: [email protected] ISSN 1860-5680 © Centre for German and European Studies, 2019 2 Working Papers WP 2019-02 Centre for German and European Studies Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Global Migration and Human Capital....................................................................... 6 1.2 Indian Human Capital Migration .............................................................................. 7 1.2.1 Indian human capital in Italy .............................................................................. 11 1.2.2 Indian human capital in Russia ......................................................................... 12 1.3 Context .................................................................................................................. 13 1.3.1 Rationale ........................................................................................................... 13 1.3.2 Aim and objectives ............................................................................................ 14 1.3.3 Research questions .......................................................................................... 14 1.3.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 15 Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................... 16 2.1 Human Capital Theory .......................................................................................... 16 2.2 Dual Labor Market Theory ..................................................................................... 19 2.2.1 Low-skilled jobs ................................................................................................. 21 2.2.2 Demand for human capital in the low-skilled jobs ............................................. 22 2.3 Rational Choice Theory ......................................................................................... 24 Chapter 3. Methodology ....................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 4. Data Analysis and Results .................................................................................. 29 4.1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of Respondents .............................................. 30 4.1.1 Gender of respondents ..................................................................................... 30 4.1.2 Age of respondents ........................................................................................... 31 4.1.3 Respondents’ marital status .............................................................................. 31 4.1.4 Respondents’ level of education ....................................................................... 32 4.2 Case 1: Indian Human Capital in Rome ................................................................ 32 3 Working Papers WP 2019-02 Centre for German and European Studies 4.2.1 Employment ...................................................................................................... 33 4.2.2 Life strategies .................................................................................................... 34 4.3 Case 2: Indian Human Capital in Saint Petersburg ............................................... 35 4.3.1 Employment ...................................................................................................... 36 4.3.2 Life strategies .................................................................................................... 37 4.4 Similarities Between the Two Cases ..................................................................... 38 4.4.1 Personal networks ............................................................................................. 38 4.4.2 Language competence ...................................................................................... 39 4.4.3 Monetary benefits .............................................................................................. 39 4.4.4 Experience ........................................................................................................ 41 4.4.5 Quality of life ..................................................................................................... 41 4.4.6 Remittances ...................................................................................................... 42 4.5 Difference Between the Two Cases Under Study ................................................. 44 Chapter 5. Discussion ........................................................................................................... 46 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 49 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 50 Appendix 1. Informed Consent Form .................................................................................... 56 Appendix 2. Participant Information Sheet ............................................................................ 57 Appendix 3. Table of respondents (Rome) ........................................................................... 58 Appendix 4. Table of respondents (Saint Petersburg) .......................................................... 59 Appendix 5. Interview guide (Rome) ..................................................................................... 60 Appendix 6. Interview guide (Saint Petersburg) .................................................................... 62 4 Working Papers WP 2019-02 Centre for German and European Studies Abstract Problematization: Current historical stage shows growing intensity of labor force mobility, particularly labor migrations. Previous studies have mainly focused on the human capital of migrants employed in high-skilled jobs and the effects of secondary ‘dead-end’ low-skilled jobs on labor migrants, thereby distinguishing between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ jobs and ‘high’ and ‘low’ wages paid for them respectively (Suedekum, 2006; Doeringer & Piore, 1971: 163-183). There is therefore a lack of knowledge on the contribution of high-skilled migrants employed in low-skilled jobs abroad. Additionally, little has been explored in the context of human capital. Furthermore, there is a need for more knowledge on different solutions to the overall increase in demand for human capital in the secondary sector. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the real discrepancy between the high-skilled Indian human capital and the practices of its investment in low- skilled jobs in advanced economies. Moreover, the study aims to identify and explore possible factors that motivate Indian high-skilled labor migrants to opt for jobs in the secondary sector abroad. Methodology: The research was carried out using a qualitative case study, and data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in Rome and Saint Petersburg and later analyzed with the help of deductive content analysis. Results: It was found that the respondents perceive their employment as a motive to earn higher wages and as a chance for personal fulfillment and development, and as an opportunity to improve their quality of life. The research showed that personal motives of Indian participants for investing their human capital in low-skilled jobs in Rome and Saint Petersburg were their willingness to maximize monetary benefits, gain experience abroad, and provide financial support to their families back in India. It was discovered that their decision to leave was mainly linked to the fact that low-skilled labor markets in advanced economies tend to attract employees from the developing countries as natives fail to fill up the vacant positions. Further, the results suggest a tendency for the secondary sector labor market to recruit ‘the right candidate’, although the existing skills of the candidate are higher than the existing criteria for employment.