The Impact of Hong Kong Academics' Research Agendas on Their Job Dissatisfaction

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Factors Influencing Faculty Satisfaction

Abstract

This research pioneered the investigation of the statistical contributions of research agendas to job dissatisfaction – beyond demographics. Participants were 547 academics from the eight University Grants Committee funded universities in Hong Kong. Results showed that academics’ research agendas as assessed by a short version of the Multi-Dimensional Research Agendas Inventory (Horta & Santos, 2016) statistically predicted job dissatisfaction as measured by the Job Dissatisfaction Scale (designed for this study) – after academics’ age, gender, academic rank, academic discipline, and institutional ranking were taken into account. Findings have enriched the literature on academics’ research agendas and that on job dissatisfaction and built a meaningful link between higher education and psychology; they have practical implications for academics and for university senior managers.

Authors

• Li-Fang Zhang, University of Hong Kong

• Gerard Postiglione, The University of Hong Kong