The Virtual Brain Drain in Turkey: A Qualitative Research on Remote Employees’ Experiences in Foreign Firms

Halim Baş

Article Details

The Virtual Brain Drain in Turkey: A Qualitative Research on Remote Employees’ Experiences in Foreign Firms

Authors:

Halim Baş

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

İşletme

Journal:

İstanbul İktisat Dergisi Vol.72 Issue 2, pp.915-951

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282612

pISSN:

2602-4152

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The virtual brain drain is an outcome of the strategies global companies have pursued around the world to gain a competitive advantage and reach more qualified employees, mostly with regard to better economical conditions. Virtual brain drain is a situation that occurs with no geographical displacement when considered in terms of cause-and-effect factors and is becoming more common in the world. Although the prevalence of a virtual brain drain has been associated with COVID-19 in consideration of its impact factors, this brain drain is also said to have started before COVID-19. In addition to the pandemic, however, employees search for flexibility and the desire to meet their different expectations, especially with regard to economic status, have gradually enlarged and strengthened this phenomenon. This study aims to provide a framework for understanding virtual brain drain relevant researchers and policymakers by focusing on the experiences of employees working remotely for foreign companies.The research uses the qualitative methodology and collects data from 11 participants in six different Turkish cities through the e-interview technique. The study analyzes the obtained data using the descriptive analysis technique. According to the results obtained from the study, employees job searches were observed to have been shaped around economic factors, flexibility, and issues arising from companies, with the factors affecting the work-life balance being expressed more frequently and having a guiding effect with regard to the virtual brain drain.

 The virtual brain drain is an outcome of the strategies global companies have pursued around the world to gain a competitive advantage and reach more qualified employees, mostly with regard to better economical conditions. Virtual brain drain is a situation that occurs with no geographical displacement when considered in terms of cause-and-effect factors and is becoming more common in the world. Although the prevalence of a virtual brain drain has been associated with COVID-19 in consideration of its impact factors, this brain drain is also said to have started before COVID-19. In addition to the pandemic, however, employees search for flexibility and the desire to meet their different expectations, especially with regard to economic status, have gradually enlarged and strengthened this phenomenon. This study aims to provide a framework for understanding virtual brain drain relevant researchers and policymakers by focusing on the experiences of employees working remotely for foreign companies.The research uses the qualitative methodology and collects data from 11 participants in six different Turkish cities through the e-interview technique. The study analyzes the obtained data using the descriptive analysis technique. According to the results obtained from the study, employees job searches were observed to have been shaped around economic factors, flexibility, and issues arising from companies, with the factors affecting the work-life balance being expressed more frequently and having a guiding effect with regard to the virtual brain drain.

 The virtual brain drain is an outcome of the strategies global companies have pursued around the world to gain a competitive advantage and reach more qualified employees, mostly with regard to better economical conditions. Virtual brain drain is a situation that occurs with no geographical displacement when considered in terms of cause-and-effect factors and is becoming more common in the world. Although the prevalence of a virtual brain drain has been associated with COVID-19 in consideration of its impact factors, this brain drain is also said to have started before COVID-19. In addition to the pandemic, however, employees search for flexibility and the desire to meet their different expectations, especially with regard to economic status, have gradually enlarged and strengthened this phenomenon. This study aims to provide a framework for understanding virtual brain drain relevant researchers and policymakers by focusing on the experiences of employees working remotely for foreign companies.The research uses the qualitative methodology and collects data from 11 participants in six different Turkish cities through the e-interview technique. The study analyzes the obtained data using the descriptive analysis technique. According to the results obtained from the study, employees job searches were observed to have been shaped around economic factors, flexibility, and issues arising from companies, with the factors affecting the work-life balance being expressed more frequently and having a guiding effect with regard to the virtual brain drain.

 Sanal beyin göçü, dünya üzerindeki küresel şirketlerin rekabet avantajı sağlamak ve daha nitelikli çalışanlara çoğunlukla daha ekonomik koşullarda erişebilmek adına izledikleri stratejilerin bir çıktısıdır. Sanal beyin göçü, neden ve etki faktörleri ile düşünüldüğünde coğrafi olarak yer değiştirmeksizin gerçekleşen bir durumdur ve dünyada üzerinde giderek artmaktadır. Sanal beyin göçünün yaygınlık hızı, etki faktörleri dikkate alındığında Covid-19 süreciyle ilişkilendirilse de daha öncesinde başlayan bir süreç olarak belirtilmektedir. Ancak pandemi süreciyle beraber çalışanların esneklik arayışları ve başta ekonomik koşullar olmak üzere farklı beklentilerini karşılama arzusu bu olguyu giderek büyütmüş ve güçlendirmiştir. Bu çalışmada amaç, uzaktan yurtdışı bir firma adına çalışanların deneyimlerine odaklanarak ilgili araştırmacı ve politika yapıcılara bir çerçeve sunmaktır. Araştırmada nitel metodoloji kullanılmış ve Türkiyenin altı farklı şehrinden 11 katılımcıdan e-görüşme tekniği ile veri toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler betimsel analiz tekniği ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre, ekonomik faktörler, esneklik arayışı, firmalardan kaynaklı meseleler ve iş yaşam dengesini etkileyen unsurlar çerçevesinde şekillenen arayışların daha yoğunlukla ifade edildiği, sanal beyin göçüne yönlendirici etkisinin var olduğu görülmüştür.

Article Details

The Virtual Brain Drain in Turkey: A Qualitative Research on Remote Employees’ Experiences in Foreign Firms

Authors:

Halim Baş

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

İşletme

Journal:

İstanbul İktisat Dergisi Vol.72 Issue 2, pp.915-951

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282612

pISSN:

2602-4152

Virtual brain drain

Flexibility

Remote working

Sanal beyin göçü

esneklik

uzaktan çalışma

Covid-19

Virtual brain drain

Flexibility

Remote working

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Halim Baş

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: İşletme

Journal: İstanbul İktisat Dergisi Vol.72 Issue 2, pp.915-951

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001282612

pISSN: 2602-4152

Issues

Authors:

Halim Baş

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

İşletme

Journal:

İstanbul İktisat Dergisi Vol.72 Issue 2, pp.915-951

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282612

pISSN:

2602-4152