The Turkish Academic Labor Market as an Ecosystem

Abstract

Career ecosystem theory have been developed to explain interactions between individuals, organizations, and other actors, which influence the flow of human capital in response to the inadequacy of traditional career models. The aim of this chapter is to examine the relevance and applicability of career ecosystem theory to the Turkish academic labor market. In line with this aim, theoretical underpinnings and basic assumptions of ecosystem theory was elaborated. Individual and institutional factors affecting career movements of academics are identified, and changes in the landscape of Turkish higher education system are discussed. Results indicated that the theory is a powerful tool of understanding the complexity of academic careers in Turkish academic labor market.