Academic repatriates: adjustment, work engagement, and intention to leave

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of academic repatriates’ proactive behaviours (job change negotiation, positive framing, and networking), perceived organizational support, and perceived co-worker support on repatriation adjustment, and the impact of adjustment on academic repatriates’ intention to leave and work engagement. This study also examines the impact of academic repatriates’ organizational commitment and perceived external employment opportunities on their intention to leave. Three theories: uncertainty reduction theory; socialization resource theory; and organizational socialization theory were combined to explain the hypothesized relationships. The study was conducted with a group of 172 Sri Lankan academic repatriates who had been attached to a foreign academic institution for two or more years and had been involved in academic activities (teaching/research/higher studies). Results indicated that repatriates’ proactive behaviors (except networking), perceived organizational support and perceived co-worker support each had an important role to play in the prediction of repatriation adjustment. In turn, academics who adjusted to their repatriation better were highly likely to stay at their home university and engage in their work. Repatriates’ perceived organizational support decreased their intention to leave through adjustment and commitment. In addition, when repatriates had trouble in adjustment and perceived high external employment opportunities, they reported higher intentions to leave the university than those who perceived fewer external employment opportunities. The overall findings underline the essential role of individuals, groups, and the organization in the adjustment process of academic repatriates. Thus, rather than passively adapt to their environment, this research shows how repatriates can actively shape their own repatriation experience. An in-depth discussion of findings, contributions, limitations, and implications for further research and practice are presented.