Return Migrants and International Transfer of Technology: A Case Study of Azad, Jammu and Kashmir

The study aims at exploring contributions of return migrants, particularly, their role in international transfer of technology in Azad, Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Besides, reasons for migration and impact on employment generation, as well as, characteristics of migrants (s) are identified who are most likely to promote the transfer of technology. For this purpose, a field survey was conducted in Azad, Jammu and Kashmir, an area with a high rate of international migration. Econometric models were estimated to draw empirical support for determining of the issues. The empirical evidences indicate that education level, demographic profile, career planning before migration, vocational training,, duration of stay abroad and specific type of employer are some of the important determinants of migrants who are likely to transfer technology. The return migrants who spend on luxuries are less likely to contribute in this respect. Such migrants possess specific set of characteristics (s). As per our knowledge, this source of international transfer of technology has not been identified so far. Besides, different technologies like improvement in infoware, humanware, technoware and organisational skills etc., which contribute to improve human capital are identified.The study also provides information on re-employment pattern of return migrants. It further highlights impacts of return migrants on the promotion of local businesses and employment generation. Based upon the evidences, the study provides policy guideline to fully benefit from migrants. A labour policy to provide information about the types of feasible businesses, incentives to bring new technology and facilitation of setting up business could enhance local development. The study contributes by identifying an important new source of international transfer of technology (s) through migrants. The policy direction are provided to explored this new channel to transfer new technologies and, therefore, accelerate economic development in developing areas. The study would also be equally beneficial for other areas, which experience return migrants.