Repatriation of Academics: A Study on Sri Lankan University Lecturers

Abstract

Although repatriation adjustment is a matter for all re-entry groups, it is not clear if it is an issue for returning academics. The article aims to investigate whether the repatriation adjustment is a matter for academic repatriates. The study was conducted with 63 Sri Lankan academic repatriates who had been attached to a foreign university or academic institution for more than 1 year, had been involved in academic activities and, at the survey date, had returned within the past 2 years. One sample t-test, independent sample t-test and regression analysis were employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The article provides empirical evidence to show that repatriation adjustment is a matter for academic repatriates too. Academics who return to their home university experience less fit to their organization compared to their fit with their home organization before they had left. The article highlights that universities need to take necessary steps to develop policies and procedures to capitalize the knowledge and international experience of returning academics. The findings extend the current scope of literature on repatriation adjustment by identifying a new group of repatriates who are experiencing repatriation adjustment issues.