Mofid University The Journal of Economic Studies and Policies 2423-4648 10 1 2023 06 22 Investigating the Effect of Social Capital on Brain Drain in Member countries Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Investigating the Effect of Social Capital on Brain Drain in Member countries Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 153 174 702259 10.22096/esp.2023.523940.1484 FA Ali Moftakhari Doctor of Economics, Department of Economics, Faculty of Management and Economics, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. Mohammad Jafari Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Management and Economics, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. Esmaiel Abounoori Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran. Younes Nademi Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Humanities, Ayatollah Borujerdi University, Borujerd, Journal Article 2021 01 27 Various aspects and areas in developing countries have always been affected by brain drain. In fact, the migration of elites is one of the challenges that these countries face. Examining the results of the effect of institutional variables, especially social capital, on brain drain in these countries can provide a suitable solution to solve or correct the problems caused by this important phenomenon and by creating an appropriate mechanism and a coherent plan for wasting human capital and skilled workers prevent in these communities. Therefore, this article examines the effects of social capital on brain drain in the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization during the years 2009-2018. The results show that social capital has a nonlinear and threshold effect on brain drain. Considering that the coefficient of social capital is positive and the coefficient of quadratic power of social capital is negative, so social capital at low levels intensifies the brain drain from the studied countries, but raising the level of social capital and passing it beyond the threshold level in society is an effect. Negative left on brain drain. By determining the threshold level in these societies and trying to promote social capital to this level, as an influential factor on brain drain, it is possible to prevent the exit of the elite in these countries.<br />  Various aspects and areas in developing countries have always been affected by brain drain. In fact, the migration of elites is one of the challenges that these countries face. Examining the results of the effect of institutional variables, especially social capital, on brain drain in these countries can provide a suitable solution to solve or correct the problems caused by this important phenomenon and by creating an appropriate mechanism and a coherent plan for wasting human capital and skilled workers prevent in these communities. Therefore, this article examines the effects of social capital on brain drain in the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization during the years 2009-2018. The results show that social capital has a nonlinear and threshold effect on brain drain. Considering that the coefficient of social capital is positive and the coefficient of quadratic power of social capital is negative, so social capital at low levels intensifies the brain drain from the studied countries, but raising the level of social capital and passing it beyond the threshold level in society is an effect. Negative left on brain drain. By determining the threshold level in these societies and trying to promote social capital to this level, as an influential factor on brain drain, it is possible to prevent the exit of the elite in these countries.<br />  https://economic.mofidu.ac.ir/article_702259_2b0a7a13d79d306b3e0be7d30df54844.pdf