網路世代新移民―臺灣高科技人才在美國

Abstract

美國是移民國家。1965 年新移民法通過後，赴美國加州地區投資或從事科 技業的臺灣移民受到美國高科技業的重視。然而，隨著世代交替，跨海至美國的臺灣移民在型態上已與第一代高科技移民不盡相同，現在的臺灣移民屬於網路世代。本研究採取深度訪談法及問卷調查法，以求達到資料的完整性。網路世代移民有下列特徵：首先，該群體主要集中於有生產力的青壯年勞動階層，且教育水準極高，並學習專業技術。他們多以留學生的身分前進美國，在美國完成學業後，進入科技產業就業。此外，網路世代移民不僅著眼於「積體電路」（integrated circuit，IC）產業，而是將其求職視野拓展至整個美國的高科技工業。第二，臺灣人的社群網絡互動熱絡，達到促進移民適應良好之效。網路對於社群網絡的活絡更是功不可沒。本研究提出二個推論：其一，網路促使臺灣高科技移民型態的轉型：從「人際網絡」到「網際網絡」。其二，網路世代高科技移民的移民意向更為彈性。The United States (U.S.) is a nation of immigrants. Since Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was signed, Taiwanese immigrants who have invested or engaged in technology industry in California have received the attention from the U.S. high-tech industry. As generations alternate, the current Taiwanese immigrants are different from the first generation. This study uses in-depth interview and questionnaire to investigate the status quo of contemporary Taiwanese high-tech immigrants living in the U.S. According to our research, this group of immigrants mostly belong to the Internet generation, and they are currently in young adult ages with high productivity in industry. They are well educated and with professional skills. Most of these Taiwanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. as international students and entered the high-tech industry after graduation. It is worth noting that although the the Silicon Valley area, which is dominated by the integrated circuit (IC) industry, is still the most prosperous area for high-tech immigrant employment, current Taiwanese high-tech immigrants have expanded their career horizons to the industries throughout the entire U.S. On the other hand, the active interaction inside Taiwanese networks also helps on the immigrants’ adaptation in the new country. Comprehensive words, this study conducts a series of investigations on the career, life, and immigration intentions of contemporary Taiwanese high-tech immigrants in the U.S. There are two inferences concluded: First, the Internet has changed the models of Taiwanese immigrants, in the aspects of interpersonal relationships and job-seeking employment. Second, the high-tech immigrants of the Internet generation are more flexible on their immigration intention, and they tend to not immediately decide on a permanent settlement.