Abstract
The shortage of skilled labor and the global competition for highly qualified employees has
challenged Dutch companies to develop strategies to attract Highly Skilled Migrants (HSMs). This
paper presents a study exploring how well-being is experienced by HSMs living in the Eindhoven
region, a critical Dutch Tech Hub. Our population includes highly skilled women and men who
moved to Eindhoven for work or to follow their partner trajectory. By analyzing data according to
these four groups, we detect significant differences among HSMs. Given the exploratory nature of
this work, we use a qualitative method based on semi-structured interviews. Our findings show that
gender plays a crucial role in experienced well-being for almost every dimension analyzed. Using
an intersectional approach, we challenge previous models of well-being, and we detect different
factors that influence the respondents’ well-being when intersecting with gender. Those factors are
migratory status, the reason to migrate, parenthood, and origin (EU/non-EU). When all the factors
intersect, participants’ well-being decreases in several areas: career, financial satisfaction, subjective
well-being, and social relationships. Significant gender differences are also found in migration
strategies. Finally, we contribute to debates about skilled migration and well-being by including an
intersectional perspective
challenged Dutch companies to develop strategies to attract Highly Skilled Migrants (HSMs). This
paper presents a study exploring how well-being is experienced by HSMs living in the Eindhoven
region, a critical Dutch Tech Hub. Our population includes highly skilled women and men who
moved to Eindhoven for work or to follow their partner trajectory. By analyzing data according to
these four groups, we detect significant differences among HSMs. Given the exploratory nature of
this work, we use a qualitative method based on semi-structured interviews. Our findings show that
gender plays a crucial role in experienced well-being for almost every dimension analyzed. Using
an intersectional approach, we challenge previous models of well-being, and we detect different
factors that influence the respondents’ well-being when intersecting with gender. Those factors are
migratory status, the reason to migrate, parenthood, and origin (EU/non-EU). When all the factors
intersect, participants’ well-being decreases in several areas: career, financial satisfaction, subjective
well-being, and social relationships. Significant gender differences are also found in migration
strategies. Finally, we contribute to debates about skilled migration and well-being by including an
intersectional perspective
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-20 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Administrative Sciences |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Jul 2021 |
Keywords
- Highly Skilled Migrants
- Well-being
- Intersectionality
- Gender
- The Netherlands