The intention to leave among academics in Iran: an examination of their work-life quality and satisfaction

The role of educational institutions in the development of human capital is crucial for the progress of any nation [1]. The academic staff within a university plays a vital role, and the number, quality, and effectiveness of faculty members greatly impact the quality of education provided [2]. It is widely recognized that the success of any organization is closely tied to the abilities and contributions of its employees [3].

The employment landscape in the education sector has become increasingly competitive, with institutions striving to maintain their reputation and gain a strategic advantage [4]. With the rise in job opportunities in higher education, retaining competent faculty members has become essential. Failing to retain employees can have severe repercussions for an organization [5].

Employee turnover has become a chronic issue across different types and sizes of organizations, and numerous studies emphasize the importance of retaining talented individuals [6]. In the field of education, replacing human capital, particularly in universities, is an expensive endeavor. Therefore, universities and governments must promptly and earnestly address talent turnover [7].

While satisfaction is a well-studied concept, colleges continue to face the challenge of motivating and satisfying their faculty members [8, 9]. Career motivation is considered one of the key individual factors impacting the quality of work life. Therefore, it is important to improve the quality of work life by fostering an environment that respects employees, encourages their active participation in decision-making processes, addresses their needs, and seeks to build trust with officials [10]. Fewer studies have focused on faculty members of medical sciences, who often encounter issues such as overcrowded classrooms, time pressure, and increased workload [11, 12].

Academic faculty members are considered national assets and understanding their intention to leave their positions is of utmost importance. The departure of experienced faculty members poses serious problems for universities, particularly regarding the quality of educational and research services they provide [13]. In today's academic landscape, faculty members bear significant responsibilities in education, research, therapeutic services, executive activities, and personal development [14]. Balancing multiple roles within a university, alongside external pressures from both the organization and the community, can significantly influence their perceived work-life balance satisfaction. This, in turn, impacts their job satisfaction and their intention to leave the organization [15].

On one hand, faculty satisfaction relies on the levels of satisfaction experienced by students, colleagues, and administrators [16]. On the other hand, Weale et al. (2019) suggested that faculty satisfaction is influenced by both work and non-work aspects of their lives [17]. Job satisfaction is a critical factor in motivating faculty members, as it reflects their personal contentment and fulfillment within their roles [12].

Building on the previous work of Kalkins et al., (2019) satisfaction levels strongly predict the intention of faculty members to leave academia. Additionally, the intent to leave one's position is a significant predictor of the intent to leave one's institution [18]. Turnover intention refers to an employee's intent to voluntarily leave their job or organization [19, 20]. Voluntary turnover is associated with decreased individual performance and increased costs for organizations [11].

Johnsrud (1996) proposed that faculty work-life can be influenced by their professional priorities, perceived institutional support, and erosion of quality of life over the course of their careers. Addressing these factors can improve the overall climate and culture within academic institutions [21], ultimately impacting faculty morale and their likelihood of leaving their positions or careers [22].

Multiple workplace roles undertaken by university academics, coupled with pressures from the organization and the community, are often considered significant factors that impact their perceived work-life balance satisfaction. This, in turn, influences their overall occupational attitudes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and their intention to leave the organization [23].

Relatively few studies have examined the intent or inclination of faculty members in the field of Medical Sciences to leave their current positions [24, 25]. Some studies indirectly address this issue by exploring the faculty's intent to stay, either at their current institution or within public colleges in general [25, 26].

Despite the fundamental importance of faculty retention, there is limited understanding of the factors related to satisfaction, professional work life, and institutional work life that can explain faculty members' intentions to leave at a national level. As a result, this study aimed to investigate the intention to leave among academics and their work-life quality and satisfaction to response the following questions:

Table 1 presents the categorical socio-demographic characteristics and their association with work-life quality and satisfaction, and intention to leave. The results indicated that married faculties (M = 3.70, SD = 0.50) had a slightly higher work-life quality and satisfaction than single faculties (M = 3.47, SD = 0.43). There was no significant difference between subjects according to their gender, degree, or involvement in education. However, faculties who more involved in clinical teaching (M = 3.56, SD = 0.42) were significantly less satisfied with work-life quality than those who were less involved (M = 3.83, SD = 0.58).

There was no significant relationship between being full time and having an administrative position with the work-life quality and satisfaction of faculty members. Regarding the discipline, there was no difference between different disciplines in terms of work-life quality and satisfaction. However, faculties from Midwifery (M = 3.59, SD = 0.21), Medicine (M = 3.66, SD = 0.61), and Nursing (M = 3.66, SD = 0.36) disciplines had lower work-life quality and satisfaction compared to Allied health professions (M = 3.67, SD = 0.55) and Health management and medical information (M = 3.71, SD = 0.46) disciplines. Table 1 also shows that nursing faculty members (M = 3.44, SD = 1.55) had a relatively higher intention to leave than faculty members of other disciplines. The rest of the categorical socio-demographic variables did not show a significant relationship with the intention to leave.

Besides, the results indicated that there was an inverse relationship between research hours per week (r = -0.21, p < 0.05) and teaching at undergraduate level (r = -0.19, p < 0.05) with work-life quality and satisfaction. Also, the variables of age (r = -0.31, p < 0.05), fulltime duration (r = -0.20, p < 0.05), and work experience (r = -0.31, p < 0.05), correlated inversely with intention to leave. While hours spent on research per week (r = 0.18, p < 0.05) has a direct and significant correlation with intention to leave.

As shown in Table 2, the mean scores of all dimensions of work-life quality and satisfaction and intention to leave were higher than 2.73 (out of 6). At the dimension level, faculties were most satisfied of their “technology support” in work-life quality scale (3.99, SD = 0.86) and average score for overall satisfaction (4.90, SD = 0.89) was higher than the satisfaction for the “advising and course workload” and “benefits and security”.

The least satisfaction among faculties was in the “benefits and security” dimension (3.27 ± 0.54). Also, in the scale of intention to leave the highest score among faculties was in statement of “what likely are you leave their current position?” (2.86 ± 1.46).

There was a statistically significant inverse relationship between the mean scores in all work-life quality and satisfaction dimensions and intention to leave, except for “advising and course workload” dimension (p < 0.05). Also, there was a statistically significant direct relationship between total scores of work life quality and satisfaction (p < 0.001) (Table 3).

The results of the univariable linear regression analysis indicate that all subscale scores of Work Life Quality, as well as the total score, exhibited a negative correlation with the intention to leave (all P-values < 0.05). Likewise, within the Satisfaction subscales, Benefits and Security, Overall Satisfaction, and their total scores displayed an inverse relationship with the intention to leave (all P-values < 0.05). Examining demographic and background variables, age, work experience, and full-time years demonstrated a negative association with the intention to leave (all P-values < 0.05). Conversely, the number of hours spent by faculty members on research exhibited a positive correlation with the intention to leave (P-value < 0.05). Additionally, when compared to nursing faculty members as the reference category, Medicine, Midwifery, and Allied Health Professions exhibited lower intention to leave (all P-values < 0.05) (Table 4).

In the multivariable analysis, the relationship between work life quality, satisfaction subscales, and their total score with the intention to leave was found to be statistically non-significant (all P-values > 0.05). However, work experience and Discipline emerged as independent predictors of the intention to leave (both with P-value < 0.05). Specifically, work experience was negatively associated with the intention to leave, and each year of experience was linked to a 10% decrease in the intention to leave score points. Furthermore, faculty members in the midwifery discipline displayed approximately 1.3 points lower intention to leave scores compared to nursing faculty members (Table 4).

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the work-life quality and satisfaction of faculty members of Urmia University of Medical Sciences and their relationship with intention to leave. The results revealed that the overall quality of work life was in an average level, with the highest scores observed in the "Technology Support" dimension. It must be acknowledged, in today's digital era, the Internet has emerged as a crucial tool for research development and enhancing the efficiency of academic staff members in universities [30]. Without utilizing the internet for various tasks, including education, research, and consultation responsibilities, academic staff members can encounter numerous challenges. Meanwhile, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent shift to virtual classes, the necessary technological support has been provided to professors, ensuring their active participation in online teaching [31]. Previous studies have also reported similar findings, indicating an average level of work-life quality [32‐35]. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of domestic articles conducted by Shakibaei (2015) showed that the average score of the quality of work life among academic staff members in higher education institutions is considered to be on a medium level [36]. However, studies conducted by Farrukhnejad (2012), Mirkamali and Thani (2011), and Noorshahi and Samiei (2023) reported an unfavorable level of quality of work life [37‐39]. Another studies highlighted that faculty members experienced a lower quality of work life compared to other university employees, often citing unfavorable working conditions, lack of control and participation in decision-making, and low organizational commitment as contributing factors [40, 41]. Additionally, Bakhshi et al. found a direct relationship between the academic staff members' educational level and their perception of quality of work life [33]. It is important to note that the inconsistencies observed across different studies could potentially be attributed to variations in populations studied [40, 42] and the instruments utilized for assessment [43‐45].

Based on the findings of this study, the average job satisfaction scores fell within the moderate range. Notably, the highest satisfaction scores were reported in the 'Overall satisfaction' dimension, while the lowest scores were observed in the 'Benefits and security' dimension. In terms of marital status and involvement in clinical teaching, married faculty members without clinical education responsibilities exhibited higher levels of satisfaction compared to their unmarried peers involved in clinical education. These findings align with previous studies which have also reported medium ranges of job satisfaction [32, 34, 37, 38], thereby corroborating the results of our present study. Noorshahi and Farastkhah's (2012) study identified various factors that contribute to faculty members' job satisfaction, including satisfaction with salaries and wages, the work environment, job security, job prestige and dignity, and facilities and resources. The study revealed that faculty members reported moderate to high satisfaction in terms of job prestige and dignity, whereas satisfaction with salaries and wages, the work environment, and job security were reported as moderate to low [30].

A positive work environment characterized by independence, role clarity, and community impact fosters higher job satisfaction, whereas dissatisfaction with salaries, weak leadership, and excessive pressure to produce scientific articles can lead to decreased job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is significantly linked to traditional academic values such as a focus on quality, inclusion in decision-making processes, unwavering commitment to work, and recognition of faculty members [40]. Additionally, faculty members' perception of organizational support enhanced job satisfaction [46]. In Moloantoa's study, it was observed that salary did not significantly impact job satisfaction, but dissatisfaction stemmed from insufficient benefits, inadequate support for teaching, learning, and research, lack of resources, and subpar university management [47]. In a study conducted by Ferron (2017) found that when nursing department managers actively supported academic professionals, recognized their efforts, and ensured fair work procedures, nurses' job satisfaction increased [48].

There is a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and the quality of work life [34, 49]. One of crucial aspect of the quality of work life is work-life balance [50]. Numerous studies worldwide have reported a positive association between job satisfaction, the quality of work life, and work-life Balance [51‐58]. A study by Kim (2023) revealed that the high stress experienced by faculty members in Thailand mediates the relationship between high workload and job satisfaction [59].

The average score for the intention to leave was in the medium range. The item 'How likely are you to leave your current position?' scored the highest. Nursing faculty members exhibited a relatively higher tendency to consider leaving. The intention to leave was directly correlated with the number of research hours and inversely with work experience, full-time employment and age. Aboudahab's study on private universities in Egypt revealed that common factors contributing to the intention to leave included low talent management, high workload and anxiety, poor communication between faculty members and managers, lack of recognition and appreciation, and work-family imbalance [60]. Ferron (2017) found that intention to leave increased with aging among nursing faculty, as well as part-time employment. On the other hand, more work experience decreased the intention to leave and increased the desire to remain in nursing schools [48]. The low level of job satisfaction among faculty members is considered a warning sign, as it increases the likelihood of leaving a job if greater satisfaction is found elsewhere [60].

There was a statistically significant inverse relationship between the mean scores in all dimensions of satisfaction with work-life quality and the intention to leave, except for the "Advising and course workload" dimension. In the same line, other studies have also demonstrated a decrease in the quality of work life and job satisfaction leading to an intention to leave [24, 46, 57, 58, 60‐66]. Job satisfaction plays a pivotal role in the retention of faculty members in universities [67]. In Rezaee’s study (2019) among Iranian doctors, a significant inverse relationship was found between the quality of work life and the intention to leave. When the quality of work life improves, it reduces the intention to leave and increases employee satisfaction [68]. Therefore, organizations can provide personal and social support to make employees feel valued and proud [66].

The findings of this study highlighted that the faculty members’ work-life quality and satisfaction, and the intention to leave were in an average level. There is a negative correlation between Work-Life Quality and Satisfaction subscales, along with demographic factors, and the intention to leave, while work experience and Discipline were significant independent predictors of intention to leave.

These results emphasize the need to prioritize and improve the conditions that foster job satisfaction in academia, as it plays a vital role in training the next generation and advancing education in universities. Of particular concern is the high intention to leave among nursing lecturers, which signifies the immense work pressure they face. Without proper support from nursing schools in terms of human resources, there is a risk of a decline in the nursing workforce due to an increasing number of faculty members leaving their positions. This could ultimately lead to a reduction in the quality of undergraduate nursing education in the long run. These findings offer valuable insights for academic institutions, highlighting the importance of fostering a supportive work environment and retaining faculty members. By addressing the factors influencing job satisfaction and intention to leave, institutions can enhance the overall satisfaction of their faculty members and promote longevity in their academic careers. Considering these results, it is recommended that future research delve into additional variables and interventions to further augment faculty satisfaction and mitigate the intention to leave within the academic setting. These efforts can contribute to the overall improvement of the academic environment, ensuring quality education and sustained academic excellence in the years to come. Considering the high rate of intention to leave among nursing faculty members, it is advisable to conduct qualitative studies to explore the nature of the quality of work life, job satisfaction, and the underlying causes of the intention to leave within this group. Additionally, experimental studies can be conducted to investigate the effects of organization-oriented interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of work life, job satisfaction, and reducing the intention to leave."