Exploring Communication Patterns and Work Value Fulfillment Through Network Analysis among International Professors in a Korean Christian University

Abstract

A Korean Christian university is characterized by hierarchical, top-down, centralized communication patterns that are deeply ingrained by strong Confucian values. Universities were encouraged to hire international professors in response to the Global Declaration “Segyehwa” of Kim Young-san’s Administration in 1994, which aimed to transform South Korea into a first-rate nation and drew national attention to education. A specific support network categorized as “international professors” in a Christian university that comprised twenty-four actors which was 100% of the network (62.5% males, and 37.5% females) were surveyed through discourses of work value fulfillment to analyze the network using UCINET 6 to identify ties created by each actor and its characteristics, the central actors in each discourse, and to evaluate the most valued work values of professors through communicative patterns. Findings revealed that the significant ties created a star or all-channel network that was decentralized and enabled members to communicate freely. Similarities in demographic and personality attributes, such as nationality and cultural backgrounds, gender, age, and expertise, created both constraints and opportunities from how they were embedded in the networks. The central actors who were consistently well-positioned across all discourses accounted for 29% of the network. They were all male and demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience in technology and innovation. As reflected in professors' communication patterns, coworkers’ work value, supervision, and work itself were most valued in their profession. The not-well-connected nodes in the network exhibited that communication for them is “satisficing”.