The Evolving Diaspora of Talent: A Perspective on Trends and Implications for Sourcing Science and Engineering Work

This perspective paper highlights the changing dynamics underlying the supply and demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) talent. As a global ecosystem of innovation emerges, the emerging diaspora of STEM talent networks is potentially a game changing phenomenon affecting where, by whom and how innovation activities are executed. We discuss several emerging trends, such as global sourcing, open sourcing, new on-line STEM talent markets and the shift of organizations becoming mobile workplaces, that have the potential to reshape and define the diaspora of STEM talent network, as well as the organization and conduct of the globalization of innovation. We propose future research agenda by drawing implications on the impact of the diaspora of STEM networks at the country level, company level, as well as individual level.