Abstract
As universities increasingly employ adjunct faculty in both teaching and research positions, how these individuals experience their jobs becomes of greater concern. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative data from a sample of 105 non-tenure-track instructors and research associates to examine the work experiences of adjunct faculty. The article examines both the advantages and disadvantages associated with this type of employment. In addition, the article examines how career stage influences individuals' reactions to these positions. Specifically, the results suggest that adjunct faculty in late career generally demonstrate more positive job attitudes and work behaviors than adjunct faculty in earlier career stages. The article concludes with implications for the more effective management and utilization of adjunct faculty.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alderfer, C.P., & Guzzo, R.A. (1979). Life experiences and adults' enduring strength of desires in organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 347-361.
Bedeian, A.G., Pizzolatto, A.B., Long, R.G., & Griffeth, R.W. (1991). The measurement and conceptualization of career stages. Journal of Career Development, 17, 153-166.
Dalton, G.W., Thompson, P.H., & Price, R.L. (1977). The four stages of professional careers: A new look at performance by professionals. Organizational Dynamics, 6, 19-42.
Feldman, D.C. (1990). Reconceptualizing the nature and consequences of part-time work. Academy of Management Review, 15, 103-112.
Feldman, D.C., & Doerpinghaus, H.I. (1992). Patterns of part-time employment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 41, 282-294.
Feldman, D.C., Doerpinghaus, H.I., & Turnley, W.H. (1995). Employee reactions to temporary jobs. Journal of Managerial Issues, 7, 125-141.
Feldman, D.C., & Turnley, W.H. (1995). Underemployment among recent college graduates. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 16, 691-706.
Gould, S. (1979). Age, job complexity, satisfaction, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 14, 209-223.
Gould, S., & Hawkins, B.L. (1978). Organizational career stage as a moderator of the satisfaction-performance relationship. Academy of Management Journal, 21, 434-450.
Leatherman, C. (1998a, October 16). University of Phoenix's faculty members insist they offer high-quality education. Chronicle of Higher Education, pp. A14-A15.
Leatherman, C. (1998b, February 27). Faculty unions move to organize growing ranks of part-time professors. Chronicle of Higher Education, pp. A12-A14.
Levinson, D.J. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. New York: Knopf.
Levinson, D.J. (1986). A conception of adult development. American Psychologist, 41, 3-13.
Olson, J.M., Roese, N.J., Meen, J., & Robertson, D.J. (1995). The preconditions and consequences of relative deprivation: Two field studies. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25, 944-964.
O'Reilly, C., & Chatman, J. (1986). Organizational commitment and psychological attachment: The effects of compliance, identification, and internalization on prosocial behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71, 492-499.
Rotchford, N.L., & Roberts, K.H. (1982). Part-time workers as missing persons in organizational research. Academy of Management Review, 7, 228-234.
Schein, E.H. (1978). Career dynamics: Matching individual and organizational needs. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Taylor, J.C., & Bowers, D.G. (1972). Survey of organizations: A machine-scored standardized questionnaire instrument. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.
Thomas, K.M., Mack, D.A., Williams, K.L., & Perkins, L.A. (1999). Career development strategies and experiences of “outsiders within” in academe. Journal of Career Development, 26, 51-67.
Wakefield, D.S., Curry, J.P., Mueller, C.W., & Price, J.L. (1987). Differences in the importance of work outcomes between full-time and part-time hospital employees. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 8, 25-35.
Williams, L.J., & Anderson, S.E. (1991). Job satisfaction and organizational commitment as predictors of organizational citizenship and in-role behaviors. Journal of Management, 17, 601-617.
Wilson, R. (1998, July 24). For some adjunct faculty members, the tenure track holds little appeal. Chronicle of Higher Education, pp. A9-A10.
Wilson, R. (1999, June 11). Georgia State University cuts some part-time positions to add 65 full-time faculty jobs. Chronicle of Higher Education, p. A18.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Feldman, D.C., Turnley, W.H. A Field Study of Adjunct Faculty: The Impact of Career Stage on Reactions to Non-Tenure-Track Jobs. Journal of Career Development 28, 1–16 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011193713662
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011193713662