Do migrants transfer tacit knowledge? : the case of highly skilled Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81).Transfer of knowledge is a complex process. While codified knowledge is easy to transfer, tacit knowledge is not. "Tacit knowledge is difficult to exchange over long distance because it is heavily imbued with meaning arising from the social and institutional context in which it is produced, and this context specific nature makes it spatially sticky" (Gertler 2003). This thesis argues that there is certain tacit knowledge that migrants often transmit over long distances after customizing the knowledge to apply in different institutional settings. This thesis takes the example of Bangladesh, a country having an unfavorable socio- economic and institutional setting for receiving new technology, and explains how, despite the unfavorable conditions, some expatriates do transfer their knowledge to Bangladesh. Based on in-depth interviews with those expatriates creating the most impact in the economy of Bangladesh, the thesis shows that highly skilled Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States transfer tacit knowledge through building partnerships with individuals and organizations in Bangladesh. The thesis also finds that these partnerships are mostly based on trust, often coming from basic commonalities: same language, common "codes" of communication, shared norms, and personal knowledge about each other.by Moshahida Sultana.M.C.P

Planning exceptionalism? Political Economy of Climate Resilient Development in Bangladesh

As part of an international project led by Institute of Development Studies to understand change processes required for delivery of climate resilient and low carbon development this case study illustrates how a significant change process of a transnational problem depends on the interplay of actors, their ideas and power relations in a particular political circumstance influenced by international climate governance, initiatives, and actors. This shows the strength and weakness of Bangladesh‟s planning process especially in understanding whether existing power relations, interests and ideology of different actors can explain why some ideas win and some do not. The study findings are not only beneficial for Bangladeshi policy makers, researchers and public but also other climate vulnerable countries pursuing similar planning process.DfI

Planning “Exceptionalism”? Political Economy of Climate Resilient Development in Bangladesh

Following three major disasters in 2007, Bangladesh intensified its effort to tackle climate change through development of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP). The process of plan formulation led to debates nationally and internationally regarding the financing and integration of climate change into development planning. Using a political economic lens, this article illustrates how major national initiatives around international problems must be understood in terms of the interplay of actors, their ideas and power relations. The article argues that: (a) power relations among actors significantly influenced the selection of ideas and implementation activities; (b) donor concerns around aid effectiveness and consequent creation of parallel mechanisms of planning and implementation may run counter to both the mainstreaming process and the alignment of assistance with country priorities and systems; (c) climate change planning processes must be opened up to include actors from across sectors, population groups and geographical areas

The Political Economy of Climate Resilient Development Planning in Bangladesh

Following three major disasters in 2007, Bangladesh intensified its effort to tackle climate change through development of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP). The process of plan formulation led to debates nationally and internationally regarding the financing and integration of climate change into development planning. Using a political economic lens, this article illustrates how major national initiatives around international problems must be understood in terms of the interplay of actors, their ideas and power relations. The article argues that: (i) Power relations among actors significantly influenced the selection of ideas and implementation activities; (ii) Donor concerns around aid effectiveness and consequent creation of parallel mechanisms of planning and implementation may run counter to both the mainstreaming process and the alignment of assistance with country priorities and systems; (iii) Climate change planning processes must be opened up to include actors from across sectors, population groups and geographical areas