Experiencing a re-entry: second-career academics in business schools in Malaysia

This research studied the experience of second-career academics in Malaysian business schools. A combination of interpretive research paradigm and narrative inquiry has been adopted for this study. The research revealed that second-career academics are motivated by self-efficacy, inspired by a sense of calling, delighted by accordance, but disenchanted by discordance, and alienated by grievance. Theoretically, these results suggest the transferability of self-efficacy in career transition from industry to academia. The study suggests that universities need to review the career appraisal process and a re-examination of academic performance management systems. It also calls for an improved orientation process for second-career academics.