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Leave or Stay? Antecedents of High-level Talent Migration in the Pearl River Delta Megalopolis of China: from a Perspective of Regional Differentials in Housing Prices

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Abstract

Rapid urbanization and population growth have triggered an increase in urban housing demand and rising housing prices, which can influence the migration intention of high-level talents. Much work within the literature has focused more on the migration of the general public. However, antecedents of migration intention and the impact of housing prices on the migration of high-level talents remain unclear. Therefore, based on the push-pull theory, this study investigates the influencing factors of talent migration intention and explores the role of housing prices. This study reveals a complex mechanism underlying migration decisions by using logistic regression models and survey data of high-level talents in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) megalopolis of China. The results indicate that: 1) in high house-price regions, social integration is the primary push factor, and the main factors for retaining talents are the expectation of future work and intimate family relationships; 2) in medium house-price regions, the main factors that attract talents are the current salary level and close family ties; 3) in low house-price regions, living convenience is a determining factor in retaining talents. This study provides a new perspective for talent mobility research and offers valuable inputs for retaining and attracting talents in different economic development regions. Findings are of great significance for formulating talent introduction policies and forming a new pattern of rational spatial docking and effective allocation of human resources.

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Authors

Contributions

SHEN Chen: writing-original draft, formal analysis, methodology, data curation, writing-review & editing; WANG Yang: supervision, conceptualization, project administration, funding acquisition, writing-review & editing; ZUO Jian: supervision, writing-review & editing; Raufdeen RAMEEZDEEN: conceptualization, writing-review & editing.

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Correspondence to Yang Wang.

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All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Additional information

Foundation item: Foundation item: Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72274143) and (No. 71874127)

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Shen, C., Wang, Y., Zuo, J. et al. Leave or Stay? Antecedents of High-level Talent Migration in the Pearl River Delta Megalopolis of China: from a Perspective of Regional Differentials in Housing Prices. Chin. Geogr. Sci. 33, 1068–1081 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-023-1360-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-023-1360-2

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