FENOMENOLOGI INSTITUSI KEKELUARGAAN DALAM PENTAFSIRAN DAN MAKNA PENGALAMAN HIDUP: KEUPAYAAN ADAPTASI KELUARGA SEBAGAI PIHAK SIGNIFIKAN PENENTU KEJAYAAN TUGASANAHLI AKADEMIK EKSPATRIAT DI INSTITUSI PENGAJIAN TINGGI MALAYSIA

Abstract

This paper provides an understanding of the social structure seen as a phenomenology that directs one’s thinking in relation to the interpretation and meaning of life experiences in family institutions where family adaptation is a significant factor in determining the success of expatriate academics. The objective of the study was to unravel expatriate interpretations of expatriation decisions, where such interpretations were debated and taking into account family adaptability as a significant party in determining the success of the assignment of academics who have continuity with the experience of expatriate institutions in the host country. The research was carried out by utilising qualitative methods of in-depth interviews with 20 expatriate academics selected from three Malaysian Public Universities. While the appropriate criteria for respondents include the following characteristics, namely (a) has resided for at least one year in Malaysia using a valid employee visa, (b) has been offered a position as academic staff and has renewed a contract of service, (c) a self-initiated expatriate in undertaking expatriation and (d) work full-time and is not classified as an inter-university exchange staff or on sabbatical leave. The study found that the family factor is the influence of the career environment of an expatriate academic while serving in Malaysia. This is seen as a valuable input for the expatriate academics in adapting to the career of the country’s higher education arena while encouraging retention of expatriate academics in the higher education industry in Malaysia. Two new findings were presented namely (i) moral and emotional support systems which give positive indications of international assignment success, and (ii) support of the relevant social networks with local communities as one of the determinants of expatriate success adapting to the host country environment.