asia pacific economic cooperation - internationalization of industrial science and technology

Researcher's Mobility

1 Profile of Respondents

In the present survey, the profile of respondents is based on their place of birth, age group, marital status, and, number of languages known. It is also based on the economies where these respondents have been educated and worked. These data is helpful in evaluating their responses. Since the number of respondents is not very high, a conclusive analysis cannot be made on this economy. However, an attempt has been made to analyse the results and present the trend based on observations.

At the end of this section, Table A classify the respondents who have evaluated this economy, Brunei, based on their year of evaluation, age, marital status and languages known.

Table B (Refer end of section) display the number of respondents, who were born, educated and worked in different APEC economies.

2 Channels for obtaining information

This is followed by Table C (Refer end of section), illustrating the popularity of different channels for obtaining information about this economy.

No other specific channels have been reported in the survey.

3 Organization of the results

The main results from the survey have been classified under the following factors:

Factors or reasons for selecting or avoiding an economy

Work environment factors;

Visa factors;

Settlement factors; and

Communication and Mobility factors.

The number of responses for each of the above factors has been tabulated in Tables D, E, F, G, H (Refer end of section).

4 Factors or reasons for selecting or avoiding an economy

Positive factors/reasons

Recognition of foreign qualifications, compensation, housing and cost of living are some of the positive factors in this economy.

One of the researchers was able to undertake relevant scientific research.

Negative factors

Working conditions, and career prospects are found wanting in this economy by 2 out of the 8 respondents.

5 Work environment factors

Prior knowledge to use facilities, project funding, status and treatment of foreign researchers as compared to natives, are some of the positive factors in this economy. Ability to research on subjects of personal interest is one of the main attractions of Brunei.

6 Settlement Factors - housing, medical, and other social factors

Maintenance allowances, housing, medical expenses, and cultural life or activities are some of the plus points of Brunei.

7 Communication, mobility

It is easy to travel within the host economy. Telephone/fax costs are found to be satisfactory by 50% of the respondents.

8 Visa matters

Brunei visa is very bureaucratic and unhelpful, as commented by one of the researchers.

9 Peace and order

Crime rate, political stability, and, law and order are found to be satisfactory.

Table A.
Year of Evaluation	Votes

Before 1985
1985 to 90
1991 to 95	7
After 96
Not available	1
Total	8
Age
30 or less
31 to 40
41 to 50	4
Above 50
Not available	4
Total	8
Marital Status
Single
Married	4
Widowed/Divorced
Not available	4
Total	8
Language
One
Two	4
Three or more	1
Not available	3
Total	8

Table B. Economy of birth, Education and Work Experience of Respondents

	Birth	Under Graduate	Masters	Doctorate	Economy visited/worked
Australia	3	3	3	3
Brunei					6
Canada					3
Chile
China					3
Hong Kong, China
Indonesia					3
Japan					3
Korea
Malaysia					6
Mexico
New Zealand					3
Papua New Guinea					3
Philippines					6
Singapore					3
Chinese Taipei
Thailand					3
USA
Rest of the world	3	3		3	3
Not reported	2
Total	8	6	3	6	45

Table C. Channels of Obtaining Information


	Votes
Personal Contacts	5
Employer or Parent Organization
Magazines and News papers
Government exchange program	1
Technical journals
Others	2

Table D. Factors or reasons for selecting or avoiding an economy
Factors	Positive	Negative	Issues
Centres of excellence in the economy		1
Unique scientific resources
Compensation	4
Advanced degree or technology or training
Working Conditions	3	2
Recognition of foreign qualifications	5		1
Recognition of foreign work experience			1
Employment opportunities
Career Prospects		2
Visa and entry regulations	3
Immigration opportunities
Housing	4
Medical	3
Cost of living	4
Language and culture
Infrastructure in host economy
Quality of life in host economy

Table E. Work environment factors
	Positive	Negative	Issues
Availability of information	3
Availability of advanced facilities
Prior knowledge to use facilities	4		1
Guidance from host researchers
Willingness to share information & expertise	2
Interest level of projects	2
Project deadlines
Project funding	4
Freedom in workplace
Status & treatment of foreigners compared to natives	4

Table F. Visa Factors
	Positive	Negative	Issues
Procedures	3
Visa period	2
Visa for the family			1
Restrictions

Table G. Settlement Factors
	Positive	Negative	Issues
Housing
Ease/difficultyin getting accommodation	3
Rental expenses	3
Quality of housing	4	1
Medical
Ease/difficulty in obtaining medical treatment	3
Medical expenses	4
Availability of medical facilities	3	1
Peace and Order in the host economy
Crime rate	3
Political stability	3
Law and order	3
Other Social factors
Food	3
Climate	3
Maintenance allowances	5
Religious life			1
Isolation from your country men in host economy
Social interaction	3
Spouse’s career
Children’s education
Family/Children's health

Table H. Communication and Mobility
	Positive	Negative	Issues
Communication
Language for communication in the host economy	3
Availability of Telephone/fax	3
Telephone/fax cost	4	1
Internet access	1	1
Availability of Radio/TV programs for foreigners	1	1
Cultural life or activities in the host economy	4	1
Mobility
Travelling cost to host economy	3
Frequency of flights to host economy
Ease/difficulty of travelling within host economy	4	1
Ease/difficulty of travelling from host economy	3
Commuting to work place	3	1
Cost of owning and maintaining a car	1
Converting or getting a new driving license

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