Factors Shaping Academic Careers: A Study of Job Embeddedness in Academia

Abstract

This research examines the job embeddedness for academicians and factors influences retention, satisfaction, and ultimately career longevity in institutions of higher education. Fit, links, and sacrifice are factors of job embeddedness that have a central role in predictions about why faculty will stay on the job. Through an analysis of these factors, the research pinpoints major factors that affect faculty engagement and retention factors such as institutional support, avenues for career progression and positive working relationships. The fit to organization and link to organization play a vital role in academicians' job embeddedness, the fit to community and link to community show much less impact on it, but all of them contribute positively in overall job satisfaction. Finally, fit to organization and link to organization were the strongest predictors explaining job embeddedness within academicians, whereas fit to community and link to community are also important but less powerful determinants of general satisfaction with one's work.