Brain drain of engineers in Sri Lankan IT industry : causes and countermeasures

Abstract

Brain Drain or the departure of skilled individuals at an alarming rate has become a timely topic in the context of Sri Lanka which is going through a rough period as a country in multiple disciplines. The phenomenon is even more applicable to industries like Information Technology (IT) that are running into a shortage of skill, even with promising future predictions due to higher demand and relentless technological advancements. Effects of brain drain are visible in both the home and the host country including economic losses, skill shortages, and reduced innovation. This study focused on identifying the most significant factors that encourage or discourage migration based on the push-pull framework which illustrates that migration decision occurs from the result of two forces acting in different directions in pushing and pulling. Data analysis conducted on the data collected from suitable respondents within the industry revealed the political push factor of the home country to be the most significant force contributing to migration decisions. In addition, the study uncovered several other factors of both home and the host country that significantly impact migration. Based on the outcome of the analysis and survey responses, actions to reduce brain drain are discussed in the latter half of the study which aims to propose mitigation strategies. With valuable findings and revelations, the study contributes to finding solutions for underlying causes and sets the foundation for further investigation on the subject.