Factors Influencing Faculty Migration. AIR 1988 Annual Forum Paper / Michael W. Matier.

A review and synthesis of the literature on factors influencing faculty decisions to leave an institution are presented. From this review, Lazarsfeld and Rosenberg's "empirical analysis of action" methodology was selected as the foundation for a survey of 37 Arts and Sciences faculty, for whom the response rate was 51%. Each received a three-part questionnaire concerning ease of movement and perceived desirability of moving, including the individual's propensity to search out other opportunities, the best opportunity to leave in a selected time period, and the degree of enticement a series of factors had on the individual's decision on that opportunity. The study focused on "star" faculty at a major western university during the 1984-85 academic year. The results are considered highly contextualized by the cultural milieu of the institution and its geographic location, and are therefore considered not transferable to other settings. The study is discussed in terms of its methodological, theoretical, and analytical foundations, and suggestions are made on how these elements can be employed in other settings. Contains 15 references. (Author/KM)

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