Female Self-Initiated Academic Expatriates’ Organizational Commitment to the U.S. Public Research University in STEM Fields

• In Event: Advancing Innovation and Equity: Faculty Development in AI, STEM, and Multilingual Learning

Abstract

This study identifies the main factors influencing female self-initiated academic expatriates’ (SIAEs) organizational commitment (OC) to U.S. public research universities, especially those in STEM fields. By conducting pilot interviews with three post-tenured female SIAEs and applying Meyer and Allen’s three-component model of organizational commitment, this study aims to answer two questions: 1) What are the main factors influencing STEM fields’ female self-initiated academic expatriates’ organizational commitment to the U.S. public research university? 2) How does the work experience of female self-initiated academic expatriates in STEM fields impact their organizational commitment to the U.S. public research university? The findings show female SIAEs’ OC is mainly influenced by their values including both academic and personal values, work environment, and work experience.

Author

• Yaning Cao, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign