Our vision

We see migration as a global phenomenon embedded in economic, social, and political contexts, with important implications for the strategies of firms. Businesses are the primary beneficiaries of migrant labor, consumerism, and innovation. Yet, the role of the private sector in the realm of migration and development is underexplored and poorly understood by decision-makers. We consider it our responsibility to catalyze scientific research and develop evidence-based solutions to the global challenges at the intersection of migration, business, and society.

Our mission

We work to reduce misconceptions on migration through cutting-edge business and management research that drives better business practice and policy making. For this purpose, we are operating a first of its kind global knowledge hub that is nonpartisan and brings together scholars, business leaders, and policy makers to work toward achieving migration-specific targets such as those reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030 and the Global Compact on Migration.

Our objectives

Generate innovative, practice- and policy-oriented research on migration in business and management

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to inform business and policy decision makers

• Connect thought leaders in science with business leaders, policy makers, and human rights advocates

• Promote compassionate and humane management of migrant workers and employees

• Influence public discourse and policy debates through effective communication and advocacy

• Integrate migration issues into business and management education, including executive MBAs

Advocacy and Impact

Policy Advocacy. We engage in policy advocacy at the local, national, and international levels to influence public discourse on migration issues.

Business Practice Advocacy. We engage with business leaders via expert consultations, field research on company premises, roundtable discussions, and multistakeholder webinars. To the best of our knowledge, we are the only initiative that currently engages the private sector and business schools in such a comprehensive matter.

Knowledge Generation

Our research areas focus on, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• The impact of the private sector’s actions on global migration flows

• High-, semi- and low-skilled staffing challenges imposed by Industry 4.0 advancements and Covid-19, and their potential implications for immigration policies

• Migrant workplace integration and firms’ diversity and inclusion practices

• The role of leading multinational enterprises and industry alliances in addressing migrants’ human and labor rights across different locations

• Factors that strengthen or weaken the pro-trade effect of migration and contribute to development

• The interface between cities as economic hubs, their relationship with transnational migrant communities, and the effects on businesses

Activities

To achieve our vision, mission, and objectives, we engage in the following activities: producing practice-oriented research agendas, publications, and toolkits; disseminating these research outputs via our website, member community and through a variety of channels such as the World Economic Forum’s Agenda, the World Bank Blog, the Network for Business Sustainability, and B The Change; cohosting global multistakeholder webinars with the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) at the World Bank; collaborating with migration experts at 102 universities from 27 countries; and pushing for change in business schools’ teaching and executive education.