Crossover specificity of team‐level work‐family conflict to individual‐level work‐family conflict

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the crossover specificity of team‐level stressors to individual‐level work‐family conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a multilevel analyses with data from 428 employees of a Dutch municipality working in 49 teams.

Findings

The results indicate the expected crossover specificity of different types of work‐family conflicts. After controlling for individual‐level demands there is little evidence that team‐level work demands influence work‐family conflict (WFC) or family‐work conflict (FWC), but team‐level WFC and FWC do influence individual‐level WFC and FWC, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The paper distinguishes two types of WFC, but it did not distinguish between strain‐ and time‐based conflicts. Further, it did not pay attention to individual differences (e.g., susceptibility to distress of team members), although such differences may be important moderators of the crossover process.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first that empirically linked team‐level stressors and WFC to individual‐level WFC and that tested crossover specificity. Findings indicated the associations of team‐level WFC and FWC and focal employees' WFC and FWC respectively, thereby underscoring the importance of crossover specificity.

Citation

Hetty van Emmerik, I.J. and Peeters, M.C.W. (2009), "Crossover specificity of team‐level work‐family conflict to individual‐level work‐family conflict", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 254-268. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940910939331