EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RETURN OF BULGARIAN MIGRANTS IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEED FOR SPECIALIZED STAFF IN SOFIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12955/pss.v2.207Keywords:
research, initiatives, migration, innovationAbstract
This article examines the issues related to Bulgarian migration after the country acceded to the EU in 2007 and focuses its research on the phenomenon of “brain drain” – the process of mass emigration during which specialists, scientists and skilled workers leave. Today, this phenomenon is quite typical for Bulgaria as part of the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe. The problems associated with the “brain drain” are very relevant as the country suffers significant economic and cultural losses while the host countries acquire large and inexpensive intellectual capital.
During the years of transition, Bulgaria strives to be a full member of the EU and provide opportunities for development and realization of specialists, scientists, and researchers. This requires the adoption of measures and initiatives to establish sustainable development in the capital and in the country and meet the need for highly skilled labor in the industrial sphere.
The article aims to explore the possibilities for the return of Bulgarian migrants in response to the growing need for specialized staff in Sofia. The quantitative study involved more than 500 Bulgarian migrants residing in different host countries, selected randomly and responded voluntarily.
The article defends the thesis that if Bulgaria provides opportunities to develop specialized staff through the undertaking of specific initiatives, this can be an attraction and a motive for the return of Bulgarian migrants.
The study methodology utilizes the quantitative studies model (and, more specifically, the questionnaire method). To obtain more reliable results, their interpretation also includes additional statistical tools. The question whether a correlation exists between the age and the degree of settlement of Bulgarians abroad is of special interest and has been investigated using the Cramér V.
The results show that in recent years the need for specialized staff is constantly growing. In response to this need, the initiatives that are undertaken are aimed at innovations in science and education. The study also takes into account the readiness of Bulgarian migrants to return home.
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