Expatriate academic’s embeddedness in host universities: Exploring links, fit, and sacrifices

This paper explores how expatriate academics (EAs) embed in host universities through links, fit, and sacrifice. Based on interviews with 50 foreign scholars from 21 countries at 16 Polish universities, the study finds that EAs wish to stay despite incomplete embeddedness. They stay due to strong ties with foreign and local communities and benefits like stable jobs, safety, quality of life, recognition, and career prospects. However, they face challenges with organizational fit due to systemic support gaps and communication issues. The paper advances embeddedness theory by exploring the underexamined context of academic expatriation, examining EAs’ networks, adaptation, and perceived sacrifices, offering insights for academic leaders and policymakers to improve support and retention. It also lays groundwork for comparative and future research on academic expatriation management in various national contexts.