To What Extent Does Job Satisfaction Mediate the Relationship Between Institutional Characteristics, Adjustment, and Turnover Intentions Among Expatriate Academics?

Purpose – As higher education becomes increasingly globalised, institutions must retain academic expatriates to achieve academic excellence and promote diversity. The intention of expatriates to leave their positions can present significant challenges for higher education institutions, particularly within the context of a global academic environment. Drawing from the social exchange and cross-cultural theories, this study investigates the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between the independent variables (institutional characteristics, cultural and social adjustment) and turnover intention among expatriate academics. Design/methodology/approach – A positivist quantitative approach was adopted. A snowball sampling method was utilised to acquire 125 expatriate academics from two selected traditional universities in KwaZulu-Natal. A survey was administered, and the data were analysed and interpreted using SPSS version 29 and AMOS software. Findings – The findings reveal that institutional characteristics, along with the cultural adjustment of expatriate academics, positively affect job satisfaction. Additionally, job satisfaction serves as a mediating factor in the relationship between institutional characteristics and the intention to leave, as well as between cultural adjustment and turnover intentions. Originality/value – This research contributes to a deeper understanding of expatriate management within academic settings and offers practical implications for institutions aiming to retain top international academics.