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Work–family conflict and behavioral outcomes of Chinese female leaders: the mechanisms of work–family guilt and family centrality

Yuling Chen (School of Management, Xihua University, Chengdu, China)
Zihan Yuan (Research Institute of International Economics and Management, Xihua University, Chengdu, China)
Charles Weizheng Chen (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China)

Gender in Management

ISSN: 1754-2413

Article publication date: 29 December 2023

Issue publication date: 23 October 2024

229

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of work-to-family conflict (WFC) on unethical pro-family behavior (UPFB) and work engagement (WE) among Chinese female leaders. In addition, this study investigates the mediating role of work-to-family guilt (WFG) and the moderating role of family centrality (FC) in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was adopted, involving the collection of data through online questionnaires administered at three time points. These data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and the bootstrapping method to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

WFC exhibited a significant positive correlation with UPFB and a negative correlation with WE; WFG played a mediating role in the relationships between WFC and both UPFB and WE; and FC had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between WFC and WE.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on a model of WFC and its related effects, reveals how WFC affects UPFB and WE and uncovers the mediating role of WFG and the moderating role of FC; pays attention to a unique organizational behavior, UPFB, which enriches research on the antecedents influencing such behaviors; and examines Chinese female leaders in organizations, their current experience of WFC and the resulting psychological and behavioral outcomes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No.: 72102186).

Citation

Chen, Y., Yuan, Z. and Chen, C.W. (2024), "Work–family conflict and behavioral outcomes of Chinese female leaders: the mechanisms of work–family guilt and family centrality", Gender in Management, Vol. 39 No. 7, pp. 937-957. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-08-2023-0295

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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