FACTORS INFLUENCING MIGRATION INTENTION OF MANAGEMENT UNDERGRADUATE IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a developing nation with a comparatively high graduate unemployment rate. State universities offer limited post-secondary education. Additionally, new private universities have been established and dynamic changes in the country’s educational system have occurred over time. Many Sri Lankan students still choose to study abroad in wealthier countries, and many plan to migrate permanently after earning their degrees. This study focuses on the economic, social, and political push and pull factors that influence the migration intentions of management undergraduates. Migration intention among educated youth is a critical issue in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. This study sought to determine the primary motivations that lead undergraduate students to consider migration and how this information might help in formulating policy and management decisions. A quantitative research method was employed using the responses of management undergraduates across numerous universities in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was conducted covering a sample of 100 management undergraduates using a convenience sampling method to collect data. Push and pull factors, encompassing economic, social, and political instability, were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software. The preliminary results of the study indicate that economic factors such as job opportunities and income potential in foreign countries are the most significant pull factors, whereas local economic instability and limited career prospects are the push factors for migration. Some social factors, such as quality of life, educational opportunities, and the influence of family members, were also identified as important determinants. Moreover, political factors, including governance quality and political stability, affect students' intentions to migrate in the future. The implications of these findings for policymakers and educational institutions are also discussed. By understanding why students want to leave or remain, strategies can be developed to address this issue, thereby retaining talented individuals.