ATTITUDES, INVOLVEMENT, AND EXPECTATIONS OF ACADEMIC STAFF TOWARDS THE PROCESS OF UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONALIZATION

Purpose: Internationalization can be a process of improving a university's operations in educational, scientific, and organizational dimensions. It enhances university’s attractiveness offering opportunities for staff mobility and career development on an international level. The aim of this article is to assess attitudes, behaviors, and needs of academic teachers regarding internationalization and to provide recommendations for university authorities on actions that support international exchange. Design/methodology/approach: Research was conducted using diagnostic survey method carried out with CAWI technique and secondary research, including analysis of existing materials, literature queries, and desk research. Findings: Research results showed that academic teachers assess level of internationalization as low or average, particularly in the area of education. Positive evaluations accounted for 16% in the area of research and collaboration, and 11% in education, alongside a high percentage of negative assessments. Predominance of average ratings and lack of opinion among some respondents may indicate low effectiveness and limited visibility of university's current internationalization efforts. This leads to conclusion that internationalization targeted at academic staff requires further action. Research limitations/implications: Research was conducted among employees of a selected higher education institution. Conducting research on a broader sample of respondents from various universities would provide more comprehensive picture of the phenomena and help identify relationships and conditions beyond those presented in the article. Similar studies could also be conducted among administrative employees, to make a complete diagnosis. Practical implications: Research results may be source of insight for university authorities and units responsible for internationalization processes. Social implications: Process of internationalizing universities in Poland can create opportunities for development and increase competitiveness of higher education institutions and contribute to deepening inequalities in access to professional development opportunities among academic staff. Pressure placed on research and teaching staff to be mobile, participate in international internships and research projects, and publish in English affects their working conditions and professional identity. Originality/value: Subject of the study is the scope of university internationalization and its impact on improving quality of education and scientific research.