Determinants Affecting Brain Drain Among Generation Y in Malaysia

Abstract

Human capital plays an important role in developing and enhancing the economic growth of a country. To enhance economic development and growth, talents are the important key factors in driving success. However, Malaysia has been experiencing intense brain drain in the past decades. The recruitment agency claimed that Malaysian Generation Y highly contributes to the brain drain situation. Thus, this paper aims to propose a comprehensive conceptual framework on the determinants affecting the intention of Generation Y in Malaysia to migrate and work abroad. This framework is important in providing an insightful information to the Malaysian government and policymakers for a better understanding of the issue. A quantitative approach will be used to collect data for the study. It is believed that this study will be able to fill the gap by extending the existing theoretical knowledge concerning generation Y. Five independent variables: compensation package, career prospects, working environment, work-life balance, and quality of life are proposed and included in the conceptual framework. Further research could perform a generation gap comparison. Consequently, the significant variables towards the brain drain issue can be well-defined and provide greater insight to the policymakers.