International Faculty Members’ Intention to Leave South Korea: Do acculturation and cultural advantage matter?

The percentage of international faculty members at Korean universities peaked in 2013 and has been decreasing since, suggesting that Korean universities have a problem with international faculty member retention. This study investigates whether international faculty members’ intention to leave is associated with their degree of acculturation. Results are based on analyses of data from 325 international faculty members with doctorates working at Korean universities nationwide. Regression analyses reveal that acculturation, work-related conditions (salary, workload, workplace climate) and mobility-related motivational factors (job market in home country, interest in Korea) explain international faculty members’ intention to leave. A ‘cultural advantage’ (ethnically Korean or living with a Korean spouse) is not a significant predictor of intention to leave. Suggestions to support international faculty members, and to help bring about synergistic organizational change are ventured in the hopes of bolstering retention at Korean universities going forward.