Cultural differences - The role it plays in skilled Chinese immigrant underemployment

This paper approaches the problem of skilled immigrant underemployment at the human resource professional level by focusing on the relationship between communications disconnects caused by cultural differences and hiring decisions. It was confirmed that within the Vancouver tech industry, only a small percentage of skilled Asian immigrants applying get hired with the two most commonly cited factors affecting employers decision to hire being communication skills and the ability to work within the Canadian context. Employers were aware that they are turning away skilled Asian immigrants, but felt it was a 'business decision' based on perceived negative effects on productivity. Employers were concerned with not only the cost, but also the knowledge required for successful integration. Although there is a definite need for cultural integration programs, it may be unrealistic to expect employers to provide them and there may be a role for educational institutions to help fill this void.