Academics' commitment and job satisfaction: Tenure‐ vs. non‐tenure‐track in South Korea

Abstract This study analyses academics' commitment and job satisfaction according to full‐time non‐tenure‐track (FTNT) and full‐time tenure‐track (FTT) in South Korea's changing academic environment. Data were collected from the 2018 Academic Profession in the Knowledge‐Based Society Survey. One‐way analyses of variance show no statistically significant differences in professional commitment (PC) and organisational commitment (OC) between FTNT and FTT academics, but FTNT academics exhibit significantly lower job satisfaction. Hierarchical linear regression models indicate that OC positively relates to job satisfaction, but PC is not statistically significantly associated with job satisfaction. This study argues that work conditions and stable positions are important factors in job satisfaction, though committed academics are likely to remain with the profession and organisation. These findings have implications for the treatment of academics and for university hiring and promotion procedures in today's changing academic environment.