Leveraging Malaysian diaspora for cluster development initiatives

Abstract

Purpose A large number of East Asian economies have benefited from the diaspora employed in the large North American and European clusters. The diaspora acquired valuable skills, developed contacts and financial wealth. Much has been written about the professional and personal obstacles of brain circulation but scant work has been done to highlight the structural factors influencing brain circulation as well as diaspora strategies in the Malaysian context. This article aims to review the brain circulation theory and pertinent literature on Malaysian clusters and to highlight the structural factors inhibiting diaspora and flow of talent to Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This is a discussion paper on the issues surrounding diaspora strategies. Findings On the basis of the review of successful diaspora of China, India, Korea and Taiwan, cluster organizations should take independent initiatives to contact the diaspora networks abroad in order to leverage their skills, contacts and finances through alumni and virtual networks. Practical implication Successful diaspora programs in China, Taiwan and India do not guarantee that imitation of those programs will result in success elsewhere. Originality/value The article reviews the pertinent literature and highlights the structural factors inhibiting diaspora and flow of talent to Malaysia.

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