This study, grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), identified factors influencing doctoral students’ short-term international academic mobility, including behavioral beliefs (professional development, academic exchange, career opportunities), subjective norms (family support, advisors), and perceived behavioral control (affordability, social support). Based on these, the Doctoral Students’ International Academic Mobility Scale was developed and tested with doctoral students from Taiwanese universities ranked within the world’s top 1000. Results show that male and younger students (< 40) reported higher family support than female and older counterparts. Students in science, engineering, and medicine perceived greater family and advisor support than those in the humanities and social sciences. Doctoral students with children valued academic exchange more, whereas those without children emphasized family support. Where international mobility was a graduation requirement, students placed greater importance on professional development, academic exchange, affordability, social support, and host-country research capacity. Moreover, international students showed stronger emphasis on academic exchange and family support, alongside higher behavioral intentions. This study contributes a theoretical framework and measurement tool for doctoral mobility while revealing differences across backgrounds, offering insights for internationalization policies and doctoral research support.

Authors:
Shu-Jyun Liou, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan
Ching-Hwa Tsai, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan
Shu-Ching Yang, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Shujun Liou is an education researcher with a doctoral degree, currently focusing on empirical and applied studies in the field of education.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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