Expatriate academics in Malaysia: motivation, adjustment, and retention

Abstract

Purpose

Existing studies on expatriate academics (EAs) are primarily set in advanced-country settings, thus overlooking the EA experience in developing and emerging markets. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivating factors behind EAs taking up jobs in Malaysia, and their adjustment and retention experiences in their host country.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 EAs working in four public universities in Malaysia.

Findings

Among the chief motivating factors for expatriation were familiarity with the country, the perceived desirable cultural/religious environment, and favourable research environment. Adjustment-wise, there was something of a mixed experience, with most adjusting well socially, but many citing disappointment with work. Such sentiment has contributed to reducing retention plans among several of the respondents.

Originality/value

The study explores the EA experience in the context of an emerging market. At present much of the literature focuses on EAs working in advanced economies. This paper indicates that the motivation, adjustment, and retention cognition of EAs in emerging markets may not be entirely consistent with what previous studies have suggested.

Citation

Richardson, C. and Wong, H.-W. (2018), "Expatriate academics in Malaysia: motivation, adjustment, and retention", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 299-308. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-12-2017-0421