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Mismatches in skills and attributes of immigrants and problems with workplace integration: a study of IT and engineering professionals in A ustralia
Author(s) -
Mahmud Sharmin,
Alam Quamrul,
Härtel Charmine
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
human resource management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.44
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1748-8583
pISSN - 0954-5395
DOI - 10.1111/1748-8583.12026
Subject(s) - mindset , immigration , perception , qualitative research , soft skills , new immigrants , business , psychology , sociology , political science , social psychology , computer science , social science , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , law
This article examines the mismatches between supply of skills and attributes of immigrants and the demands of employers that influence workplace integration of skilled immigrants in A ustralia. It argues that, despite being skilled, immigrants still cannot meet the requirements of employers in doing their jobs effectively. There are mismatches, which happen mainly in the aspects of E nglish proficiency, qualification and culture. The study followed a qualitative research design taking skilled immigrants from IT and engineering professional backgrounds and their employers in A ustralia as the interviewees. The results confirm that the workplace integration of immigrants is not only affected by the inherent capacities of immigrants, but the mindset of employers and their perception towards immigrants' overall qualities also manipulate the process. The results are, however, indicative only, as the study is confined to IT and engineering professional groups, and does not report the experiences of other immigrants.