The Moderating Effect of Psychological Adjustment on Task Satisfaction and Work Adjustment among Expatriate Academics in Malaysia

Nh Marmaya,Na Abdul Razak,N Wee,K Abd Samad,H Rasidah,Wl Koe

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i12/11700

Abstract

This study explores the task satisfaction and work adjustment relationship and test the moderating effect of psychological adjustment on task satisfaction and work adjustment relationship among expatriate academics in Malaysia. This empirical study attempts to enrich the understanding of the work adjustment, psychological adjustment and task satisfaction. A quantitative method was adopted in this study and responses from 251 expatriate academics in Malaysia were analyzed using SPSS 20. This result shows that psychological adjustment moderate the relationship between task satisfaction and work adjustment. The result showed that all of the hypotheses were supported. Most of the expatriate academics are satisfied with their work environments and increase their work adjustment. Psychological adjustment support the moderating effect of the study. The result indicate that university top management not only focus on maintaining expatriates’ satisfaction to increase their level of work adjustment but also psychological adjustment which moderate the satisfaction and work adjustment relationship. This empirical study attempts to enrich the understanding of the work adjustment among expatriate academics within Malaysian context. This study adopt a cross-sectional research design and examine the opinions of expatriates at only one point in time. Longitudinal research design should be done for a better result.

Highlights

The increasing rate of unemployment, individual development, limited opportunities among home country institutions and even the motive of venture may be the examples for rising popularity of “self-directed international assignment”
This study shows that the task satisfaction on work adjustment relationship will improve with the existence of psychological adjustment
Task satisfaction and work adjustment relationship may increase with the psychological adjustment moderation

Summary

Introduction

The increasing rate of unemployment, individual development, limited opportunities among home country institutions and even the motive of venture may be the examples for rising popularity of “self-directed international assignment”. Universities, the academicians, are among the most valuable assets of countries and they are the ones who are frequently defined as “volunteer expatriates” or expatriate academics (EAs). Adrienne and Mary, 2013), much of the focus has been on expatriates working in universities in the developed world. In Malaysia the study on EAs needs to be developed since the number of this group is increasing the study is still limited.

Methods

Results

Conclusion