To move or not to move, that is the question! - The new phenomenon of BrainDrain within developed countries --A German and Dutch case study -

BrainDrain has traditionally been connected with the migration of academics from developing towards developed countries. Nowadays, on the contrary, also developed countries suffer from BrainDrain. A new phenomenon of migration within the developed countries has come to existence. This phenomenon is in contradiction with the traditional theories about BrainDrain, which state that the difference in financial opportunities is the main cause of the migration of academics. So far, there has been very little research towards the causes of the new phenomenon of BrainDrain. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide deeper insights of the reasons of the migrants who move within the developed countries. The migration from Germany and Holland to Sweden is used as a case study. Interviews with German and Dutch emigrants are applied to collect the information for this investigation. The main reasons for migration are the labor conditions, the natural environment and the dissatisfaction with the society of the home country. These reasons belong to the highest layer in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, namely selfactualization. Remarkably, the emigrants expect to earn less in the country of migration. However, the emigrants expect to have a better work-life-balance, for example less stressful job conditions and better possibilities for a comfortable life in the host country. Social contacts in the host country, positive experiences of other emigrants and the easiness of finding a job are the most important encouraging factors during the process of migration