Pushed or pulled? A qualitative analysis of university sport management faculty attrition in the United States due to a lack of a sense of belonging

Abstract

Administrators, academic leaders, and colleagues often believe that faculty members are “poached” by other universities due to external factors like higher salaries or enhanced reputations (O'Meara et al., 2014). While some faculty may retire others may be pushed away or pulled to take a position at another university or in the public sector. This study employed Zhou and Volkwein's push-pull model to determine whether sport management faculty perceived a lack of belongingness influenced attrition or retention. The results of this qualitative analysis study revealed that the most significant reasons for sport management faculty attrition are internal push factors, such as feelings of isolation in the work environment and experiences of discrimination. Conversely, external pull factors such as higher salaries were not a reason for sport management faculty leaving. Administrators can use these findings to revise their policies and practices as needed thereby making their institutions more attractive to faculty they want to retain.