research reports

ENGINEERING & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

America's Loss is the World's Gain: America's New Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Part IV
March 2, 2009	Since even before the 2008 financial and economic crisis, some observers have noted that a substantial number of highly skilled immigrants have started returning to their home countries, including persons from low-income countries like India and China who have historically tended to stay permanently in the United States. This paper surveys 1,203 Indian and Chinese immigrants who had worked or received their education in the United States and returned to their home country, and finds that though restrictive immigration policies caused some returnees to depart the United States, the most significant factors in the decision to return home were career opportunities, family ties, and quality of life. Paper
A Reverse Brain Drain
2009	In recent years, immigrants have been playing a rapidly expanding role as high-tech entrepreneurs and inventors, providing an essential service to the country. This paper looks at the national immigration debate, and asserts that U.S. policymakers should be focusing on attracting and keeping more highly skilled foreign-born scientists and engineers. This paper was published in Issues in Science and Technology. Paper
How the Disciple Became the Guru
July 23, 2008 Durham, NC	This paper is based on detailed interviews with the CEOs, HR executives, R&D managers, and employees of 24 leading companies in rapidly growing sectors in India. The authors present an overview of best practices in recruiting, training, managerial development, and employee retention. They conclude that out of necessity leading businesses in India have developed highly advanced, innovative practices allowing them to become globally competitive and grow rapidly. Paper
The Globalization of Innovation: Can India and China Cure the Global Pharmaceutical Market?
June 11, 2008	Multinational pharmaceutical corporations are searching for means to broaden their capacity for drug development while decreasing costs. Pharmaceutical firms in India and China are increasingly forging partnerships with these corporations to gain revenue and to develop their own expertise. As a result of the movement of research to their countries, Indian and Chinese scientists are rapidly developing the ability to innovate and create their own intellectual property. Paper
Skilled Immigration and Economic Growth
2008	This paper explores the educational attainment and career trajectories of immigrant entrepreneurs in the U.S. The research confirms that advanced education in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is correlated with high rates of entrepreneurship and innovation among both immigrant and U.S.-born founder populations. This paper is published in Applied Research in Economic Development. Paper
Getting the Numbers Right: International Engineering Education in the United States, China, and India
January 2008	This article challenges the commonly cited statistics for engineering graduates in the United States, China, and India. The authors argue that the key issue in engineering education should be the quality of graduates, not just the quantity, since quantity factors have the biggest impact on innovation and entrepreneurship. This article is published in the Journal of Engineering Education. Paper
Intellectual Property, the Immigration Backlog and a Reverse Brain-Drain
August 2007	This Kauffman Foundation-supported study is Part III of the "America's New Immigrant Entrepreneurs" series, which focuses on immigrants' contributions to the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. Paper
Where the Engineers Are
Spring 2007	To guide education policy and maintain its innovation leadership, the United States must acquire an accurate understanding of the quantity and quality of engineering graduates in India and China. (National Academy of Science Journal, Issues in Science & Technology) Paper
America's New Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Part I
January 4, 2007	This paper assesses the contribution of skilled immigrants in the creation of engineering and technology businesses and intellectual property in the United States. The research shows that immigrants have become a significant driving force in the creation of new businesses and intellectual property in the U.S. and that their contributions have increased over the past decade. Paper
U.S. Engineering Education Reports
April, 2006	Duke University undergraduates compare engineering education reforms at top U.S. engineering school. Website