Izabela Grabowska - Böcker

This book explores the intangible human capital which international migrants bring with them and develop further when working and living abroad, drawing on case studies and original data from Central Europe and Mexico–USA.The book demonstrates that despite the fact that many international migrants might be working in their destination countries at a level below their formal qualifications, or else might be formally unskilled, but with practical non-validated skills, they can still acquire and enhance considerable informal human capital in the form of mind skills, soft skills, maker skills and life skills. The book analyses how migration-impacted informal human capital (MigCap) is acquired and enhanced as a result of international migration and what the opportunity and constraint structures are for their acquisitions and transfers. Adopting a comprehensive perspective, the book investigates how migration-impacted informal human capital is transferred by migrants between localities and areas of human actions and activities.Moving beyond the focus on migration as a source of economic capital, this book demonstrates that learning by observing, communicating and doing with others, embedded in social relations can facilitate the enhancement of intangible human capital among both skilled and unskilled migrants. It will be of interest to researchers of migration, sociology, economics, management and business studies, and other related social science disciplines.

This book explores the intangible human capital which international migrants bring with them and develop further when working and living abroad, drawing on case studies and original data from Central Europe and Mexico–USA.The book demonstrates that despite the fact that many international migrants might be working in their destination countries at a level below their formal qualifications, or else might be formally unskilled, but with practical non-validated skills, they can still acquire and enhance considerable informal human capital in the form of mind skills, soft skills, maker skills and life skills. The book analyses how migration-impacted informal human capital (MigCap) is acquired and enhanced as a result of international migration and what the opportunity and constraint structures are for their acquisitions and transfers. Adopting a comprehensive perspective, the book investigates how migration-impacted informal human capital is transferred by migrants between localities and areas of human actions and activities.Moving beyond the focus on migration as a source of economic capital, this book demonstrates that learning by observing, communicating and doing with others, embedded in social relations can facilitate the enhancement of intangible human capital among both skilled and unskilled migrants. It will be of interest to researchers of migration, sociology, economics, management and business studies, and other related social science disciplines.

This book delves into the experiences of Ukrainian women forced to leave their country in search of refuge following the devastating escalation of Russian war in February 2022, exploring the diverse forms of capital they bring with them and develop on the way.Drawing on extensive original research, the book focuses on Ukrainian female war migrants in Poland – a country that, even before the war, served as the primary destination for Ukrainian labour migrants and now hosts a significant number of refugees. The book examines the human, social, psychological, and economic capital Ukrainian women bring with them, alongside their participation in the local labour market, their mobilisation of resources, and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. Far from merely documenting this historic wave of migration, this book highlights the potential of Ukrainian women to become key agents in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and development, by bringing social remittances such as ideas, practices, and norms back home with them.Integrating advanced statistical analysis of data from over 340 migrants with rich qualitative insights, this book will be an important resource for researchers studying migration, security, politics, sociology, and development. It also provides valuable insights and data for NGOs and policymakers working to support Ukrainian migrants in Poland and beyond.

This book sets out a new approach to the global flow of skilled migration, one based on ethical, fair, balanced and sustainable frameworks. Instead of focusing on human capital loss and ‘brain drain’, the book argues that we should look towards mutually beneficial outcomes.In a world where demographic shifts, rapid technological advancements connected to automation and AI-enhancement, and evolving economic landscapes are reshaping labour markets, this book serves as a guide for ‘doing’ skilled migration, highlighting shared development, social inclusion, and economic resilience opportunities. Seeking to provoke and inspire policy makers, researchers, and practitioners, the book sets out a manifesto for transparent, fair and sustainable migration skill infrastructure, based on 13 theses. Based on extensive original data from across the Link4Skills consortium and its sister projects GS4S and Skills4Justice across at least 15 countries of origin and 15 countries of destinations, the book addresses critical issues such as the depletion of labour markets in origin countries and the challenges of skill recognition and labour market integration and retention in destination countries.This important new book will be a breath of fresh air for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers looking for possible solutions to global migration skill flow challenges.

Whilst the circulation of ideas, norms and practices is an important aspect of modernity, acts of resistance, imitation and innovation mean that whilst some migrants become ordinary agents of social change in their local microcosms, others may contest that change.

Whilst the circulation of ideas, norms and practices is an important aspect of modernity, acts of resistance, imitation and innovation mean that whilst some migrants become ordinary agents of social change in their local microcosms, others may contest that change.