Enhancing quality of work life in India: the role of workplace flexibility

Abstract

Purpose

It has been claimed that workplace flexibility is beneficial for employees as well as employers. However, not many studies have attempted to examine the impact of workplace flexibility on employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of flexibility dimensions on quality of work life (QWL) of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 380 middle-level employees from service and manufacturing sector in India. Analyses were carried out using multiple regressions with the help of SPSS AMOS 21.

Findings

Flexibility in time and place as well as operations has a significant impact on QWL of middle-level employees. Additionally, flexibility in time and place is indicated to be a strong predictor for enhanced QWL particularly for married female employees as compared to their male counterparts. The type of organisation and sector also influences QWL of middle-level employees.

Research limitations/implications

This study has projected theoretical justification indicating how workplace flexibility satisfies needs of middle-level employees and promotes their QWL. It contributes to positive psychology literature by illustrating empirical evidence supporting the crucial role of flexibility at workplace in enhancing QWL of employees in India.

Practical implications

The findings may be valuable in all kinds of organisational settings when reviewing and proposing motivational employee well-being related policies. The empirical findings may have practical implications when it comes to designing jobs for enhanced work engagement.

Originality/value

The variables examined in this study reflect an understanding about how support mechanism at workplace creates a positive effect in employees’ well-being in unique cultural settings of India. Thus, this study is a significant contribution to the well-being literature in India.

Citation

Rastogi, M., Rangnekar, S. and Rastogi, R. (2018), "Enhancing quality of work life in India: the role of workplace flexibility", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 50 No. 5, pp. 234-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-10-2017-0086