ICT, Globalization and the Labour Market: turning brain drain to brain gain

Abstract

The relationship between globalization and the growth of a global labour market is examined in this paper. Using exploratory methods, it was discovered that ICT has contributed to the phenomenon of brain drain but it has also created avenues for repatriations of the gains accruable to the drain. Using Scenario Network Mapping (SNM), the study tries to define possible alternative futures for this opportunity. Furthermore, globalization and the internet has made it possible for brains to be tapped at home without being drained from the local labour market through the processes of outsourcing and off-shoring of productive efforts by transnational and multi-national organizations. This was aptly termed glocalization in this study. Training and equipping the local labour force in globally relevant skills, has been identified as a means of turning the negative effect of brain drain to positive economic gains.