International return mobility, learning and knowledge transfer: A case study of Slovak doctors

Challenges for career and mobility of researchers in Europe

“…According to it, there are several net positive effects for the main host countries, notably the stimulation of innovation capacity, an increase in the stock of available human capital and its creativity, and the international dissemination of knowledge. Similar opinions have been expressed by Davenport (2004) and Williams and Baláž (2008). The inflow of research talents could also contribute to a change in the age structure of the research labour, especially if young researchers and PhD students are attracted.…”

Exploring the role of migrants in transnational occupational learning processes in Estonia-Finland space

“…While prior studies have focused on exploring how returnees have conveyed professional knowledge acquired abroad to their work communities in their home societies (Conway et al, 2012;Klagge & Klein-Hitpaß, 2010;Wang, 2015;Williams & Baláz, 2008a), the mediation of professional information and know-how across borders is not limited to return migration. In fact, due to diversifying forms of international migration and transnational activities (Guo, 2016;Lie, 1995), cross-border learning in occupational settings may be multidirectional and involve both mobile and non-mobile people residing in several nation states.…”

“…Williams and Baláz (2008a) showed how Slovak doctors had increased their professional knowledge abroad by acquiring new skills, observing different practices and developing their reflexive capacities. These doctors had been sharing new conceptions with non-migrant colleagues in their home countries although differences in professional cultures created challenges in adapting foreign practices to a new context.…”

What about the workers? The missing geographies of health care

“…Williams and Baláž, 2008). Contemporary manifestations of health and migration relationships, such as HIV/AIDS, SARS and Ebola, have, however, incited global concern, and the mobility of diseases (and patients) has attracted considerable interest (e.g.…”