Leadership Impact on Lecturer Retention at University Preparation Programs in Malaysia
Date
2020-02-11
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the importance of leadership and organizational climate among the possible factors that may influence expatriate lecturers (ELs) working at higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia to either renew their contract or depart. The research objective was to provide the leaders of such programs with insights to help them mitigate the challenges expatriates face and develop a supportive environment that encourages longer-term commitment of lecturers to the program beyond an initial contract. A convergent, parallel mixed methods research design was used for this study in which 63 participants completed an online questionnaire. In addition, 31 participants also completed a semi-structured interview. The research population for this study included current and former ELs who have worked at university preparation programs at Malaysian HEIs. This population was purposefully chosen based on their potential to best inform the research questions and enhance understanding of EL retention. Five themes that affect EL retention surfaced from the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data: (a) professional growth and fulfilment, (b) the direct influence of the leader, (c) institutional factors, (d) cultural adjustment factors, and (e) country-specific factors. These key factors have influenced the decision-making around contract renewal for ELs at Malaysian HEIs. These five themes were analysed in light of the key components of the conceptual framework of this study, and each was examined in relation to this study’s literature review. Based on this, the findings of this study were outlined as: (a) cultural adjustment for expatriates in Malaysia, (b) the Theory of Work Adjustment in relation to expatriate lecturers, (c) determinants of job satisfaction among academic faculty, (d) prioritizing factors affecting expatriate lecturer retention, and (e) key leadership approaches. Based on the results of this study, The Leadership Model for Expatriate Lecturer Satisfaction and Fulfillment was developed in order to guide program directors in developing a system to foster the conditions that encourage EL retention. This study will be of interest to program directors and senior leaders of HEIs in Malaysia.
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Citation
Germain, D. St. (2020). Leadership Impact on Lecturer Retention at University Preparation Programs in Malaysia (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.