The Impact of Migrants on International Trade, Research Proposal Example

The impact of migrants on international trade: empirical study on migrant’s intake to Australia from ASEAN countries

Chapter 1: Introduction & Topic

The research examines the impact of migrants from the ASEAN region to Australia. The focus being the economic impact on Australia considering both legal and illegal immigrants to the country.  It is argued that immigrants to a country provide benefits to the economy of that country i.e. Australia by increasing the supply of labor and increasing the demand for goods and services which act as a stimulus to the economy.  There are also intangible benefits like the increase of social and human capital.  The counter argument is mainly refuted to illegal immigrants, sometimes referred to as ‘boat people’ who are mainly refugees and offer little value to the country they are fleeing to. It is mainly poorer members of society fleeing persecution but have little to offer by way of skills and contribution to the labor market.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Sidney Lung from Victoria University provided an interesting perspective looking at this from the lens of international trade and the formulation of international trade policies. (Lung).  In 2009 the Lowry Institute published a paper that looked at immigration and international trade considering the impact in alignment with the world financial crisis and how this might impact the Australian economy. The research indicated the important need for policy revisions and the need to evidence migrant profiles before issuing work permits and visas to the country. (Koser) Norface migration produced an interesting discussion document on the subject, based on the perspective of an academic study with a view on socio economic policies and cultural development. (Genc, et al.).  An interesting journal account placing the subject matter into the wider perspective is useful for comparative analysis.  Poot and Strutt look at this through the lens of international trade agreements (Strutt).  An excellent account of social changes and diversity in Australia has been provided in a number of textbook readings but perhaps amongst the most comprehensive accounts is that provided by Adam Jamrozik, Cathy Boland, Robert Urquhart in their book entitled ‘Social Change and Cultural Transformation in Australia’ (Jamrozik, et al). Christine Inglis provided a comprehensive account of the dynamics of immigration and settlement in Australia (Inglis).  Roger White, Bedassa Tades reexamines the influence of immigrants on the process of international economic integration – specifically, their influences on bilateral and multilateral trade flows. It extends beyond the identification and explanation of the immigrant–trade link and offers a more expansive treatment of the subject matter (White).

Hugo and Young provide a Survey and Analyses of Governance Challenges on Labor Migration for APEC Economies, in particular focusing on Australia and the Asis pacific region. (Hugo).  Ozden and Shiff provide an in depth review of international migration. This book provides new evidence on the impact of migration and remittances on several development indicators, including innovative thinking about thenexus between migration and birth rates (Ça?lar Özden). Djajic looks at immigration from a psychology lens and provide valuable insight into the motivational factors of immigration. This book provides a contemporary perspective on a broad range of international migration problems. It considers recent immigration trends and policies, examining migrant behaviour. (Djajic).  International trade and migration is the theme provided by Stalker. Migration, or the potential for migration, is a central part of globalization. This text aims to show how migration connects with movements of goods and capital, and how it is closely tied up with social and economic changes. (Stalker).  The economics and policy of immigration is the focus of a study by Örn B. Bodvarsson, Hendrik Van den Berg. The book describes immigration policy, providing both a history of immigration policy in a variety of countries and using the economic theory of immigration to explain the determinants and consequences of the policies. (Örn B. Bodvarsson).  Charlesworth provides a section on the legal implications of migration and trade in Australia. The book indicates that  international law has a growing significance for trade, human rights, crime, terrorism and climate change. Meredith and Dyster focus their book on the positive aspects that immigrants have made to the Australian economy (Meredith).  David Harrison provided a look at the impact of immigration on the relatively depressed labor market in South Australia during the 1976-81 inter-censal period. The findings indicate that recently arrived immigrants have experienced exceedingly high unemployment rates. (Harrison).  Friedberg and Hunt provide a close examination of the economic impacts of immigration on Australia. (Hunt)

Chapter 3: Background and Significance

Historically, Australia has benefitted from legal immigration from ASEAN countries and they have targeted highly skilled workers that can make a valid contribution to Australian society and economic development.  17% were estimated to be of Indo Chinese origin and offered the least benefit because of no English language skills,  little useful work skills and difficulties in integration.  Many had adjustment and settlement problems and settled in Northern Australia. The exodus from Hong Kong provided nore business and professional people who were able to make the adjustment more readily and offered a range of much needed skills. A large number of migrants from South East Asian countries has yet to be determined from the perspective of economic and social contexts. Many arrived with little skills, poor English language capability and inability to integrate into the wider community.

Key research questions include:

1. How have the migrants from the ASEAN countries impacted international trade and economic development in Australia looking at historic trends ( factual evidence) and future trends (projections) ?
2. In real terms has Australia been enriched by its migrant population from the ASEAN region in terms of economic, social, cultural and political development ?
3. How serious a threat is the ‘illegal immigrant’ problem to Australia and what measures can be taken to curtail these activities ? Are there contravention of human rights issues in terms of not assisting people fleeing from poverty and persecution?
4. Does Australia need more policy revisions in terms of dealing with ASEAN immigrants in terms of getting the right Supply and Demand model right?

Chapter 4: Data Collection

The research data collected will comprise:

• Primary Research
• Secondary Research
• Use of Deductive Research
• Use of Empirical Research
• Qualitative assessments

The research to be carried out will be based upon the deductive research approach. This starts from general theoretical observations leading to the more specific.  It is a waterfall based approach and sometimes referred to as “the top-down” approach. The conclusions will be based upon premises and evidential facts.

This will involve examination of the problem statement in order to agree and reach an approved hypothesis. The strategy for carrying out the research will be based upon the construction of a theoretical framework and the development of a hypothesis.  At this time both an alternate hypothesis and a null hypothesis will be developed.  The subsequent information and data collection will then be analysed and interpreted in order to confirm or reject the produced hypothesis. The conclusions will then be developed based upon the research findings that either support or reject the hypothesis developed. Pilot work has not been identified at this time but a number of early concepts are in development stage.

Chapter 5: Methods and Procedures

The research will employ a number of different approaches.   The main theme however will be one of deductive research and this follows a standard waterfall type approach, as illustrated in the diagram to the right.  An initial theory will be developed and this will be tested against the research questions or hypothesis.  Appropriate observation and deductive analysis will be carried out and this will result in conclusions that will deny or validate the hypothesis or research questions.  Original contribution will be through the examination of the external variables and the causative affect this has on the individual selection criteria for the decision-making models.  Specific interest is focused upon the degree of correlation and alignment between these variables and the individual decision making models that are selected. Fig 1 illustrates the deductive research approach.

Figure 1 | Deductive Research Approach

Chapter 6: Research Aims and Methodology

The research will use both empirical and qualitative research method approaches in answering the key questions, as outlined above.  Qualitative research has a number of different focal points but in essence attempts to address a perspective of the attitude of people towards their behavioural traits, their value systems, their lifestyle and culture and their needs or desires.  The diagram to the right illustrates how these concepts inter-relate with one another.   The idea of this research method is to add shape or abstraction to unstructured states.  In summary qualitative research seeks to answer questions by the collection of evidence and accompanying research in an orderly and systematic way.  Such finding not having a pre-determined result and may cover research that extends beyond the immediate bounds of the study.  There are a number of different components in terms of how qualitative research studies are conducted but they include: (i) Participant Observation – this is the collection of data or information that occurs from a behavioural context (ii) Interviewing – normally in depth interviews that collect or gather personal data and provide such information as personal experiences, viewpoints or historical data (iii) Focus groups – essentially study groups that tend to elicit data on a broad overview of cultural norm topics.  Such data normally takes the form of field notes, audio tapes, transcripts and more recently notes captured on computer tablets.  Qualitative research methods are fairly flexible and use such items as interviews, surveys, questionnaires etc.   This provides the advantage of comparative analysis between the responses in the data captured but equally the researcher requires an in depth understanding and knowledge of the questions being asked.  With qualitative research the relationships between the researcher and the participants is normally very informal.  Questions can often be very open ended allowing for exploratory research and as such allowing the research to probe more deeply into the responses. 

Chapter 7: Anticipated Work Timetable ( estimated at this stage)

Schematic of Research Design

Summary

Attending a graduate program and conducting postgraduate research will be an interesting and rewarding task. It is anticipated that this journey will add to my personal growth and help in my overall career development plans.

Works Cited

Adam Jamrozik, Cathy Boland, Robert Urquhart. Social Change and Cultural Transformation in Australia. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press, 1995. Book.

Ça?lar Özden, Maurice W. Schiff. International Migration, Economic Development & Policy. New York: World Bank, 2007.

David Meredith, Barrie Dyster. Australia in the Global Economy: . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Djajic, S. International Migration: Trends, Policy and Economic Impact. London UK: Psychology Press, 2001.

Graeme Hugo, Soogil Young. Labour Mobility in the Asia-Pacific Region: Dynamics, Issues and a New APEC Agenda . Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2008.

Harrison, David. “The Impact of Immigration on a Depressed Labour Market: The South Australian Experience*.” Economic Record Vol 60(1) (1984): 57-67.

Hunt, Rachel M. Friedberg and Jennifer. “The Impact of Immigrants on Host Country Wages, Employment and Growth.” The Journal of Economic Perspectives Vol 9(2) (1999): 23-44.

Inglis, Christine. Asians in Australia: The Dynamics of Migration and Settlement. Singapore: Institute of South East Asian Studies, 1992.

Koser, Khalid. The global financial crisis and international migration: policy implications for Australia. International Policy Analysis. Sydney NSW: Lowy Institute, 2009.

Lung, S.M. The impact of organization on international trade. PhD Dissertation. Melbourne: University of Victoria, 2008.

M.Genc, M.Gheasi, P. Nijkamp, J.Poot. The impact of migration on international trade: a meta analysis. Discussion Paper. Amsterdam: Norface Migration, 2011.

Örn B. Bodvarsson, Hendrik Van den Berg. The Economics of Immigration: Theory and Policy. New York: Springer, 2009.

Roger White, Bedassa Tadesse. International Migration and Economic Integration: . Northampton MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011.

Stalker, Peter. Workers Without Frontiers: The Impact Of Globalization On International Migration. Geneva: International Labour Organization, 2000.

Strutt, Jacques Poot and Anna. “International Trade Agreements and International Migration.” The World Economy, Vol 33(12) (2010): 1923–1954. Journal.