The main findings of this research are proposed in two main sections, First section describes the motivational factors for Latin-American when deciding to come for working and living in Taiwan. Second section explores in a time-line the adaptation process during the first year for those Latin-Americans that are working and living in Taiwan. In closing, in the discussions section, the literature reviewed for the realization of this study was compared with the findings.
Motivational Factors of Latin-American Workers
The motivational factors for Latin-American workers when deciding to come to work and live in Taiwan were divided in three sub-sections. The first sub-section is the Macro-level motivational factors, which are the factors affecting the migrants decisions based on economic, politic, social, and cultural reasons; in this part, the participants make the decision to migrate after comparing their own country with the recipient country. The second sub-section is the Meso-level motivational factors, which are the factors affecting the migrating decision based mainly on the familiar context, and also on the help, assistance or consultancy the migrants received to facilitate their decision to migrate and the migration process. And the third sub-section is the Micro-level motivational factors, which are the factors affecting the migrants decisions based on personal motivations and expectations.
Macro-level
There are many macro-level motivational factors like language in the economic context, higher salary levels, social security, job stability, economic conditions of home and recipient country, and so on, for Latin-Americans when deciding to come to Taiwan (Table 4.1.); some of them are pull factors, due to the comparative favorable conditions in Taiwan, and some of them are push factors, which the participants perceived as negative factors or disadvantages of their home country.
30 Table 4.1.
Coding of Macro-level Motivation
Theme Category Key Concept
1. Motivational Factors 1-1 Macro-level 1-1-1 Language Skills 1-1-2 Salary Level 1-1-3 Security
1-1-4 Social Conditions 1-1-5 Country Development 1-1-6 Different Culture
1-1-7 Corruption in Home Country
1-1-8 Internal Economy in Home Country 1-1-9 Reputation of Taiwan
Language skills.
All participants mentioned that when they were analyzing the possibility to come to Taiwan, one of the most decisive factors was the opportunity to learn Chinese. It is important to note that some of the candidates were planning to come back to their home country after a period of time in Taiwan; Pedro stated:
I honestly choose Taiwan because of the language; I wanted to learn Chinese, because was getting more and more important in my country, because companies started asking for people who could speak Chinese and they were paying very well for that.
Other factor that many participants mentioned was their advantage of speaking Spanish and English
My advantage was that I could speak Spanish and English perfectly, so even if I could not speak Mandarin (at the beginning), for sure I could get a job in here (Taiwan); at least that’s what my friends told me (Said Pedro laughing during the last sentence, apparently meaning that it was not as easy as he believed to find a job in Taiwan without the Mandarin language ability).
It is important to note that the growth of the Asian economy principally pulled by mainland China creates interest on Latin-Americans to choose a Chinese-speaking country to develop their careers, since it can probably represent more and better opportunities in the near future.
31 Salary level.
When 11 of the participants compared their own country with Taiwan, they stated that Taiwan had an advantage in salary payment level. Elisa said:
I think it was easier to find a job here than in Honduras… and with higher salary for doing the same job, since in Honduras I could earn $10.000 Lempiras (local currency in Honduras equivalent to approximately $450USD), In here (Taiwan) I could get more than twice that money… and as I told you, for doing the same…
For the analysis, other candidates compared the minimum wage in their own country with the minimum wage in Taiwan, “You know in Colombia the minimum wage is like $350USD. In here (Taiwan), when I arrived, the minimum wage for a foreigner was like $45.000NTD… you cannot compare it!” (Juan)
None of the participants mentioned about making a comparison or analysis about the salary level after some years working in Taiwan; apparently the participants based the salary level analysis and comparison on the first job they potentially could find, or they already had in the Asian country.
Security.
All the participants during a moment of the interview mentioned about the factor of the security in Taiwan.
In El Salvador, if you are for example in a restaurant and you leave your mobile on the table while you go to toilet, you may lose it… and sometimes is also about your security, because if for example it is not your day (Meaning you are having a bad day), the robbers can even hurt you without any reason. Here in Taiwan you will never see something like that. (Jaime)
Elisa Stated: “When I started listening about Taiwan I couldn’t believe that people could go out at any time, I cannot do that kind of things in Honduras because it would be very dangerous.”
Latin-American countries in general suffer of internal security problems, and that is probably the reason why all the participants showed special interest on that matter when they were making their migration decision.
32 Social conditions.
Latin-American workers in Taiwan also felt motivated to migrate to Taiwan because of the social conditions in the Asian country.
Here the health care system is the best of the world brother, you don’t have to wait a complete day for seeing the doctor, or you don’t have to be dying to be attended in a hospital, you just go there and they take care of you almost for free… everything is cheap, everything is quick, I very care about my health, and for me, that’s the best of Taiwan. (Carlos)
Some participants analyzed the social differences between people among their own country, and compared it with Taiwan “In Nicaragua nobody respect the rules, criminals do what they want and the law protect them (he gave several examples), but in here (Taiwan) you have to respect the law, they are not playing here (Meaning that in Taiwan the law is very strict).”
(Felipe)
For the participants, the improvement in the social conditions when moving to Taiwan represented an improvement in their quality of life.
Country development.
All the participants in the study agreed that Taiwan is a more developed country that their home country.
In Bogota (Capital city of Colombia) all the streets are full of holes; it complicates the transportation in the city and generates chaos all the time, in here in Taipei you also have traffic but at least you have the MRT and amazing roads… oh yes, and those huge bridges everywhere!. (Guillermo)
When making the comparison between Taiwan and their home country, the interviewees mentioned about the transportation, health, and infrastructure systems.
Different culture.
Although meeting a new culture could be also considered as the micro-level factor; when the participants mentioned about the different culture they made special emphasize on the macro-level factor.
In our countries (Referring to Nicaragua, Colombia, and/or probably other Latin-American countries) people only thinks about making money and buying the most expensive things, we lost our values and the respect for others… nobody helps or cares about each other; that is a big problem for me and
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I was tired of it… here people is more respectful to each other, here people cooperates, and we are free to do what we want without being afraid about what others would say. (Felipe)
The participants of this study perceived the Taiwanese culture as the engine of the rapid growth of the country and the welfare of its inhabitants.
Corruption in home country.
Among the participants, 14 of them mentioned about the corruption in their home country and pointed that it was a key push factor for leaving their country.
When I decided to come here (To Taiwan) I was planning to come back to Colombia, because you know Colombia is a great place to live, but after seeing that the corruption, the impunity, and the lack of opportunities will be “the bread of everyday” (A Colombian expression that means something is usual); I decided to stay in here in Taiwan. (Juan)
Most of the 14 interviewees that mentioned about corruption in their home country, pointed that corruption was a key push factor for leaving their country, although some of the participants were still thinking to return to their home country in the future.
Internal economy in home country.
More than half of candidates stated their discontent about the economic conditions in their countries.
In Bogota (Capital city of Colombia) you could rent a nice apartment for $500.000 Pesos (Approximately $280USD), but just before I came here it was impossible to find something below
$800.000 Pesos (Approximately $448USD), It was absurd with my salary (After, the researcher asked him about his salary in Bogota, and Guillermo responded that his salary was about $1.200.000, approximately $672USD); I was a professional with 29 (Years) and my parents still helped me with money. (Stated Guillermo, with some frustration)
The principal reason of the discontent of the participants was the rapid increase of the cost of life compared to a low increase of their income.
Reputation of Taiwan.
When most of the participants were analyzing the destination country for migrating, paid special attention to the reputation of the country.
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Taiwan had everything I wanted. In some countries, you have nice things like beautiful landscapes, nice people, modernity, history, nice food, a good health care system, and more things; but everything at the same time? (Carlos)
The interviewees found in Taiwan a good balance of economic growth, career development opportunities, good lifestyle, security, and in general, a favorable environment.
Summary
The macro-level factors that influenced the most the decision of Latin-Americans when deciding to come to Taiwan, are mainly pull factors, implying that people feel more attracted by Taiwan due to its positive characteristics than pushed by the disadvantages or negative aspects of their home countries. And it is important to clarify that in most of the cases the candidates compared their home country not only with Taiwan but with other possible destinations.
Meso-level
There are four main meso-level motivational factors for Latin-Americans when deciding to come to Taiwan (Table 4.2.); these meso-level are basically factors involving their family members, their social circle, and other external contacts that helped them during the decision making process and the migration process as well.
Table 4.2.
Coding of Meso-level Motivation
Theme Category Key Concept
1. Motivational Factors 1-2 Meso-level 1-2-1 Knowing People in Taiwan
1-2-2 Receiving Help, Assistance, and/or Support
1-2-3 Known People Traveling out of Home Country friends or known people to choose Taiwan as destination country for living and working.
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When people ask me, I always recommend them to come (To Taiwan) and I tell them it is the best place to come to study and to live; but if they want to come to make money I don’t recommend it that much… Maybe engineers (Laughed). People always ask many questions, but I understand them; I know it is a hard decision, so I try to make them feel better, and maybe they won’t be that scared…
(Jorge)
This opportunity of asking and keep in contact with people who already migrated or have been in Taiwan previously, helped many of the participants during their decision-making process, and encourage them to choose Taiwan as their destination country.
Receiving help, assistance, and/or support.
When the participants decided to migrate to Taiwan, or even when they were just collecting the information necessary for making this decision, 6 of them received guidance, information, or even help from a foundation, company or governmental office.
I remember I just wanted to study outside (Meaning studying in a country different than Nicaragua), and I didn’t know where to start nor where to apply for any course or something like that; then I saw in the newspaper about the scholarships in Taiwan, I just went to the embassy of Taiwan and they helped me with everything, I just prepared my documents and that’s it (Jaidith)
In other 4 cases, the help, guidance and advice came from friends or known people who were already residing in Taiwan.
I had a very good friend who was living here (In Taiwan), he already left, but he helped me very much, I didn’t know what to do and I was truly scared because I didn’t speak any Chinese; so he explained me everything about Taiwan, he helped me with all the documentation I needed, and even before I arrived to Taipei, he already had a place for me (for living)… he was a great help for me.
(Elisa)
Moreover, all the participants manifested that their families support played an important role in the decision making process. William expressed: “I couldn’t have done it (come to Taiwan) without family’s support.” (William)
In all the cases that help, guidance, and support was received; either from foundations, governmental offices, companies, family, and/or friends; the participants manifested that it was a key motivation factor for migrating and for choosing Taiwan as the destination Country.
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Known people traveling out of the country (Home country).
Many of the participants made the decision of working and living in Taiwan due to the society, community and family groups; when they perceived that many people were traveling out of their country and having apparent success, they got curious about the option of migrating.
I remember many of the people who studied with me in the university started traveling out of Nicaragua, I always saw their posts on Facebook, and our friends in common always talked about how well they were doing outside (Of Nicaragua); I never traveled out of Nicaragua, so I started thinking maybe it was a good idea, since everybody seemed to be doing it so well. So I started my deep investigation (Joked) and then I decided I wanted to go was Taiwan. (Carolina)
Among the participants of this study, for 9 of them, knowing people who was traveling out of their home country encouraged them for migrating, and consequently, comparing the possible destination countries and finally choosing Taiwan as their destination country for working and living.
Saving money and turning back to their home country.
Although there is not the majority, it is important to take in account that 3 of the 15 participants for this study, when deciding to come to Taiwan for working and living, mentioned that their initial idea of coming to Taiwan was working for a period of time for save some money, and then come back to their home country.
I wanted to help my family, and I wasn’t doing anything for that in El Salvador (In the context of the low payment rate in El Salvador), but one day, a friend of mine told me in Taiwan some companies were needing people for sales who could speak Spanish, and he told me that in here was easy to find a job if I could speak English and Spanish, so I started to check for information and even though it wasn’t that easy finding a job here (Taiwan), one company contacted me. I got my job and sometimes my company send me there (to El Salvador), so I can visit them (His family) often. (Jaime)
The main purpose of these participants who mentioned their initial plan was to come back to their home country and stay with their families.
Summary
The meso-level factors that influenced the most the decision of Latin-Americans when deciding to come to Taiwan were, in one hand, knowing people who advised them to come to Taiwan; and receiving help, guidance, and/or support from private companies, agencies,
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organizations or group of people with all the information and process of migration. And on the other hand, two important motivations for migrating to Taiwan were the fact that other people in their society, community and/or family at their home country was migrating to different countries with apparent success; and also to help their families either from Taiwan or when returning to their home country.
Micro-level
There are several micro-level motivational factors for Latin-Americans when deciding to come to Taiwan (Table 4.3.); these micro-level motivators are the ones that take in account personal and professional objectives and goals of each migrant.
Table 4.3.
Coding of Micro-level Motivation
Theme Category Key Concept
1. Motivational Factors 1-3 Micro-level 1-3-1 Cost-benefit (Monetary and non-monetary)
1-3-2 Right Moment of Life (Age) 1-3-3 Fulfillment
1-3-4 Autonomy
1-3-5 Learning Language and Culture
1-3-6 Status in Taiwan
Cost – benefit (Monetary and non-monetary).
All the participants of the study made a cost-benefit analysis, this examination permitted the Latin-Americans who were planning to work and live in Taiwan, to evaluate in detail if the investment, monetary and non-monetary was fruitful or not.
I had to convince my dad and my mom, that it was not just a crazy idea I had; so I had to prepare for them very detailed information about the benefits, the initial investment, my plan for the future, pros and cons, and basically, a complete report about my plan to come to Taiwan, and I prove them it was a very good option for my future, so at the end they accepted. Nowadays I am so proud of what I did, and I am sure if I wouldn’t have made all those reports for them, my parents would never support me for something that seemed so crazy. (Camilo)
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In all the cases the result was positive (The benefits were greater than the costs), and that is the reason why they finally, decided to come to Taiwan.
Right moment of life (Age).
The age was also a very important aspect for the Latin-American workers in Taiwan when deciding if they should migrate or not.
When I arrived here I was 19 years old and I only came to study here, I know I am not very old yet (Said laughing), but I have changed very much. However, when I made my decision to come to Taiwan, I knew I was leaving many things in my country, but I thought, and I still think, it was the best time for coming to Taiwan (Daniel).
Other participants tied their professional life and experience with their age for making their decision of coming to Taiwan.
I think it was the perfect moment for me to make the decision, I wasn’t feeling that well in Colombia, I wanted to explore a different place, I needed my independence; and I started to feel that I was getting old. (Said laughing Guillermo)
The age of the participants when making the decision of coming to Taiwan determined in many cases their plans and purposes for coming to Taiwan, being the plans different according to the age in each case, but varied depending the individual perspective and objectives of each participant.
Fulfillment.
The Latin-American workers that participated in this study, when decided to come to Taiwan took it not only as an opportunity but as a challenge.
I wanted to prove myself that I could do it, I wanted to test how strong could be and how I would face a completely different world (Referring to the big differences between Bolivia and Taiwan), with an unknown language, and far from all my family and friends. (William)
Due to different factors like cultural differences, language, food, working environment, and etcetera; one of the motivational factors was to accomplish their personal and professional objectives despite the difficulties.
39 Autonomy.
Participants frequently mentioned about their necessity of autonomy. Guillermo Stated: “I was already 29, almost 30, I wanted, and needed to stop asking money from my parents, I
Participants frequently mentioned about their necessity of autonomy. Guillermo Stated: “I was already 29, almost 30, I wanted, and needed to stop asking money from my parents, I