The attraction of talent through international student mobility patterns and triple helix system: evidence from OECD countries for triple helix system

Abstract

Abstract In the new century of the knowledge economy, highly trained human capital is anticipated to stimulate economic growth, becoming one of the grounds for competition – the “war for talent.” The business sector, higher education and talent are all crucially connected. Integration into international knowledge networks may be enhanced by the country’s domestic triple helix. International knowledge transfer, national innovation systems and national triple helix systems draw international talent flows because of their economic benefits. To examine a nation’s ability to draw talent, we utilise a two-stage error correction (EC2SLS) panel model for OECD countries between the years 2013 and 2017. We assume that it is influenced by several innovative and technological aspects, including the triple helix, international student mobility and other factors. Results indicate that when we compare low-middle-income nations with high-income countries, the attraction of talent may alter when taking into account university–industry relationships. It has been observed that low-middle-income countries need to exert more effort in university–industry collaborations than high-income ones to recruit more talent. Evidence suggests that nations seeking to recruit talent should target international students. In addition, nations may focus on public institutions, the labour market and innovation. Governments and companies should be proactive in the competition for international talent, the results show. These results add clarity to the debate over how international student mobility affects knowledge creation and emphasise the significance of university–industry collaboration in luring talent to nations with disparate income levels.