Academic Staff Mobility in Tanzania’s Higher Learning Institutions: Understanding the Push and Pull Factors

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the push and pull factors for employees’ mobility
in higher learning institutions. Specifically, the study anticipated to 1) determine
the trend of employees’ mobility in higher learning institutions, 2) explore the
factors for employees’ mobility in higher learning institutions and 3) recommend
how higher learning institutions may devise motivation and retention strategies to
minimise employee mobility. The study employed an exploratory case study design
to allow the use of various qualitative data collection methods and tools. Purposive
sampling was used to obtain respondents from four selected higher-learning
institutions. Data collected from interviews were analysed using NVivo 12 Plus
computer-based software. Findings indicate that the push and pull factors for
academic staff mobility in the selected higher learning institutions in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania, are multiple, including workplace restructuring, institutional
politics, failure to meet the required academician’s needs and demands, health
related factors, good salary pay, need to join their families after a long period of
staying away, work motivation, friendly welfare policies and good working climate.
The study recommends having different employee retention strategies ranging from
good governance/leadership, friendly human resource-related policies that are
objectively implemented, flexible management that are open for discussion, and
views to fair motivational packages.