Retaining International Faculty: Effects of Workplace Perceptions and Satisfaction on Campus Commitment

• In Event: Comparative Perspectives on Faculty Hiring and Retention

Abstract

Despite the growing proportion of international faculty on American campuses, there is little research on this segment of the professoriate. Using COACHE data, this study examines the workplace satisfaction of Asian international faculty in STEM fields and its impact on their commitment to their current institutions. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis indicates that faculty perceptions of satisfaction have the greatest impact on commitment and moderate the effects of socio-demographic and workplace perceptions on organizational commitment. In particular, the effect of workplace life on intent to leave is significantly moderated through faculty members’ satisfaction with collegiality and intellectual vitality. In addition, perceptions of the reasonableness of tenure process have both direct and indirect effects on organizational commitment.

Authors

• Janet H. Lawrence, University of Michigan

• Sergio Celis, University of Michigan

• Hee Sun Kim, University of Michigan

• Ximeng Tong, University of Michigan