A Study on the Effect of Migration Destination Image and Migration Behavioral Intention: Focusing on Acculturation and Satisfaction of Social, Work, and University Environment

Research Purpose: As South Korea will need more than 15 million immigrants by 2060 for sustainable economic growth according to a report by the Korea Economic Research Institute, research for migration policy that enables talented foreigners with a potential to make a decision to move is needed. Unlike mass migration, minor migration has been under-researched. This paper aims to propose a concept of migration destination image and explore the antecedents of migration destination image and destination behavioral intention of international students in Korea. Acculturation, satisfaction with social environment, working environment, and university environment are suggested as antecedent variables for the migration destination image and migration behavior intention. Research Methods: To test the model, data were collected by distributing a online questionnaire designed for foreign students residing in Korea. The data was coded and analyzed through the smart PLS 3.3.2 version. Results in Research: The results confirm that acculturation positively influenced the satisfaction levels of social, work, and university life. It also found that satisfaction with social environment, work environment and university life had a significant positive (+) effect on the image of the migration destination. In particular, satisfaction with the social environment led to satisfaction with the working environment and university environment, and ultimately had a positive (+) effect on the image of the migration destination. Research Conclusion: The Korean government should improve the image of Korea's migration destination by implementing migration policies that enhance the cultural adaptation of foreign students and their satisfaction with the social environment.