An Empirical Study of the Italian Academic “brain drain”: Effects and Determinants in Brain Drain

“brain drain” is an increasingly widespread and studied phenomenon. In the literature, however, less attention is devoted to academic “brain drain”. This chapter aims to identify the characteristics of the phenomenon of academic “brain drain” in Italy. Through empirical analysis, the authors identify a number of causes and factors affecting the phenomenon. In particular, two surveys have been employed in order to identify the causes of migration, the propensity to return to Italy and the well-being job satisfaction: “Italian Researchers Abroad” (IRA) and “Italian Researchers in Italy” (IRI). The questionnaire responses are in line with the literature regarding the tendency of Italian researchers to leave Italy, but while, the prevalent literature considers migration as a temporary phenomenon, the results show that in Italy it is permanent. This conclusion is reached by evaluating the propensity of migrants to return: when researchers move abroad, they are no longer willing to return. The data analysis provided substantial and important information to clarify the profile of Italian academics and to define the potential government policies. From the two surveys conducted, it is evident that the Italian research system is inefficient and leads the most qualified academics to leave Italy and move to countries that offer a higher quality of life and more job opportunities. The loss of these people, and their low propensity to return to Italy, have a negative effect on the growth of the country. Indeed, the greatest differences emerged among Italians at home and those living abroad are the organization of work, the integration of the administrative system with the research system, wage levels and the facilities offered by the host country. The chapter considers various aspects of the academic “brain drain” and highlights the following existing factors: the Italian research system, the empirical results obtained, the relation between academic “brain drain” and work well-being, and some suggestions for economic policy.