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Book part
Publication date: 5 February 2024

Samantha Evans and Madeleine Wyatt

This chapter challenges middle-class bias in work-life literature by examining work-life balance dynamics through a social class perspective. It reveals class-based disparities in…

Abstract

This chapter challenges middle-class bias in work-life literature by examining work-life balance dynamics through a social class perspective. It reveals class-based disparities in physical, temporal, and psychological outcomes, including the role of economic capital in work-life balance and the challenges encountered by the socially mobile in achieving psychological balance. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge social class implications for work-life balance and urges organizations to address class-based inconsistencies and inequalities in their practices.

Details

Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-219-8

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 October 2023

Johan Ingemar Lorentzon, Lazarus Elad Fotoh and Tatenda Mugwira

This paper aims to explore the impacts of remote auditing on auditors’ work and work-life balance.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impacts of remote auditing on auditors’ work and work-life balance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopted a qualitative online survey approach using open-ended reflections from 98 highly experienced auditors. The survey design aligns with a “Big Q” approach to qualitative data. The reflections were interpreted through the theoretical lens of the social presence theory.

Findings

Auditors underscore that remote auditing has improved their work-life balance since it offers flexibility, greater autonomy and efficient use of time. However, they believe less social contact due to remote auditing can hurt their work.

Research limitations/implications

This study aimed to holistically comprehend the concept of work-life balance in a remote auditing setting. Therefore, the study refrained from making comparisons based on demographic information (e.g. gender, experience and type of audit firm).

Practical implications

The findings highlight the need for adopting flexible work arrangements that prioritise auditors’ well-being. This is critical for making the audit profession attractive and enhancing overall audit quality. Updated regulatory guidance and controls are needed concerning the use of technologies in remote auditing to ensure high-quality audits.

Social implications

The findings of this study can positively reshape public perception of the audit profession. Firstly, enhanced work-life balance can improve audit quality. Secondly, incorporating emerging technologies in auditing can result in society perceiving auditors as adaptive to innovation and technological advancement that has been touted for their potential for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of audit and audit quality, potentially enhancing societal trust in auditing.

Originality/value

The findings of this study complement the auditing literature that has mainly focused on the traditional work paradigm, requiring in-person presence. The authors identify potential challenges emanating from auditors’ remote work and propose solutions for audit firms to improve work-life balance in a remote work setting.

Details

Accounting Research Journal, vol. 37 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1030-9616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2023

Mahmoud Ramadan Al-Azab and Bassam Samir Al-Romeedy

This paper aims at explore the intervening role of servant leadership in tourism businesses' outcomes, in the context of travel agencies. Drawing on servant leadership theory, the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at explore the intervening role of servant leadership in tourism businesses' outcomes, in the context of travel agencies. Drawing on servant leadership theory, the authors develop a multimediation model exploring the relationships between servant leadership and person–job fit, work–life balance, work engagement, innovative work behavior and job crafting.

Design/methodology/approach

Using SmartPLS3, data collected from 942 travel agencies operating in Egypt, a questionnaire was used to obtain data on how travel agency employees envisage their organization’s adoption of servant leadership, person–job fit, job crafting, work–life balance, work engagement and innovative work behavior.

Findings

The authors show that servant leadership correlates positively with person–job fit, work–life balance, work engagement, innovative work behavior and job crafting, while job crafting correlates positively with work–life balance, work engagement and innovative work behaviors. The partial mediating roles of both job crafting and person–job fit in the link between servant leadership and work–life balance, and the partial mediating role of work engagement in the link between servant leadership and innovative work behaviors.

Originality/value

Up to date, research on the effects of servant leadership on person–job fit, job crafting, work–life balance, work engagement and innovative work behavior has been inadequate. In terms of contextual applicability, an empirical investigation of the relationship between these factors in travel agencies is not available. By empirically examining these relationships in the context of Egyptian travel agencies, the current study has bridged a gap in the tourism and hospitality literature, human resources management and organizational behavior literature.

目的

本文旨在探讨仆人式领导在旅行社背景下对旅游企业成果的干预作用。借鉴仆人式领导理论, 我们开发了一个多重中介模型, 探索仆人式领导与人-工作契合度、工作-生活平衡、工作投入、创新工作行为和工作重塑之间的关系。

设计/方法/途径

使用 SmartPLS3, 从在埃及运营的 942 家旅行社收集的数据, 使用问卷调查获取有关旅行社员工如何设想他们的组织采用仆人式领导、人-工作匹配、工作重塑、工作与生活平衡、工作参与和和 创新工作行为。

结果

我们表明, 仆人式领导与人-工作契合度、工作-生活平衡、工作投入、创新工作行为和工作重塑呈正相关, 而工作重塑与工作-生活平衡、工作投入和创新工作行为呈正相关。工作重塑和个人-工作在仆人式领导与工作-生活平衡之间的联系中起部分中介作用, 工作投入在仆人式领导与创新工作行为之间的联系中起部分中介作用。

原创性/价值

该研究进行了一些开创性的检查。迄今为止, 关于仆人式领导对人-工作契合度、工作重塑、工作-生活平衡、工作投入和创新工作行为的影响的研究还不够充分。就情境适用性而言, 尚无对旅行社中这些因素之间关系的实证研究。通过在埃及旅行社的背景下对这些关系进行实证检验, 当前的研究弥合了旅游和酒店文献、人力资源管理和组织行为文献中的空白。

Propósito

El objetivo de este artículo es explorar el papel que desempeña el liderazgo de servicio en los resultados de las empresas turísticas, en el contexto de las agencias de viajes. Basándonos en la teoría del liderazgo de servicio, desarrollamos un modelo de mediación múltiple que explora las relaciones entre el liderazgo de servicio y la adecuación de la persona al trabajo, el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, el compromiso laboral, el comportamiento laboral innovador y el diseño proactivo del puesto de trabajo.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Con SmartPLS3 se analizaron datos recopilados de 942 agencias de viajes que operan en Egipto mediante un cuestionario con el que se obtuvo información sobre cómo los empleados de agencias de viajes prevén que su organización adopte el liderazgo de servicio, el ajuste persona-trabajo, el diseño proactivo del puesto de trabajo, el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, el compromiso laboral y el comportamiento laboral innovador.

Hallazgos

Mostramos que el liderazgo de servicio se correlaciona positivamente con el ajuste persona-trabajo, el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, el compromiso laboral, el comportamiento laboral innovador y el diseño proactivo del puesto de trabajo, mientras que el diseño del puesto de trabajo se correlaciona positivamente con el equilibrio entre la vida laboral y personal, el compromiso laboral y los comportamientos laborales innovadores. Mostramos también el papel mediador parcial del diseño proactivo del puesto de trabajo y del ajuste persona-trabajo, en el vínculo entre el liderazgo de servicio y el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, asi como el papel mediador parcial del compromiso laboral en el vínculo entre el liderazgo de servicio y los comportamientos laborales innovadores.

Originalidad/valor

Hasta la fecha, la investigación sobre los efectos del liderazgo de servicio en la adecuación de la persona al trabajo, el diseño proactivo del puesto de trabajo, el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, el compromiso laboral y el comportamiento laboral innovador ha sido insuficiente. En términos de aplicabilidad contextual, no se disponía de una investigación empírica de la relación entre estos factores en las agencias de viajes. Al examinar empíricamente estas relaciones en el contexto de las agencias de viajes egipcias, el presente estudio cubre un vacío en la literatura sobre turismo y hostelería, gestión de recursos humanos y comportamiento organizacional.

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2022

Elisa Mattarelli, Carlotta Cochis, Fabiola Bertolotti and Paula Ungureanu

This paper investigates how (1) a work environment designed to sustain creativity (i.e. through flexible arrangements and elements of the social-organizational work environment…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper investigates how (1) a work environment designed to sustain creativity (i.e. through flexible arrangements and elements of the social-organizational work environment) and (2) the amount of enacted work interactions among employees, interpreted as facilitators of new idea generation (i.e. outdegree centrality in instrumental networks), differently impact creativity and work–life balance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a quantitative study in a knowledge-intensive multinational company and collected data through a survey on a sample of 207 workers.

Findings

Findings highlight that flexible work arrangements are positively related to increased work–life balance but not to creativity, whereas having access to a social-organizational work environment designed to foster creativity is associated to an increased level of idea generation, but to a reduction in work–life balance. In addition, centrality in instrumental social networks is also associated to a reduction of work–life balance. Findings thus point to a potential trade-off between structures aimed at increasing creativity and initiatives aimed at engendering work–life balance.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the current debate on new organizational practices for innovation and creativity, highlighting their unexpected implications for workers. The research also contributes to the literature on work–life balance by unraveling previously unexplored antecedents, i.e. social networks and the social-organizational work environment designed for creativity.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Mansi Tiwari, Garima Mathur and Sumit Narula

The Covid-19 virus badly affected working patterns in almost every sector. The purpose of this paper is to analytically substantiate how work and life integration impacts the…

Abstract

Purpose

The Covid-19 virus badly affected working patterns in almost every sector. The purpose of this paper is to analytically substantiate how work and life integration impacts the exhaustion and work–life balance among employees of academic institutions and IT companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Current study is empirical in nature based on the survey of 500 respondents taken from academic (250) and IT companies (250) from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesis with the application of the software Smart-PLS. Two surveys were conducted to collect the data separately for academic institutions and IT organizations.

Findings

Findings revealed the facts that during Covid-19, the employee’s work and life integration affected the work–life balance and exhaustion in academic institutions highly. The relationship was positively significant. But, for IT employees, it was identified as non-significant.

Practical implications

The current study highlighted the issues which employees faced during Covid-19 severe spread while managing work and family; how it varied due to the nature of work performed by the employees, for example, academics being more exposed to transformation from offline to complete online mode posed more challenges to teaching staff. This study also disclosed the scenario created and how it was handled in the deadly phase.

Social implications

This study presents the social contribution in understanding the importance of work and life balance and problems related to it, especially when everyone everywhere is scared of going out. The study provides insight into how it became difficult for employees to maintain their payroll successfully.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by testing statistically that the integration between work and life is important for work–life balance and prohibiting emotional exhaustion. The current paper extends the theoretical contribution by offering suggestions to companies on why to synchronize positive balance between work and life while keeping boundaries relatively strict between family and work to gain employee well-being and competitive advantages.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 December 2023

Pantri Heriyati, Nathanya Chitta, Sekar Prasetyaningtyas, Prita Prasetya and Neeraj Yadav

Interrelationships among some common factors of human resource (HR) management and quality management are still unexplored. Changes in work patterns due to the Covid-19 pandemic…

Abstract

Purpose

Interrelationships among some common factors of human resource (HR) management and quality management are still unexplored. Changes in work patterns due to the Covid-19 pandemic have aroused interest in some of these factors, such as working-hours, work pressure, work–life balance practices, job satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to explore the interrelationships among such factors. Specifically, the influence of work hours, work pressure, job rotation and work–life balance on job satisfaction is evaluated both directly and under the mediating influence of working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Indonesia among diversified organisations. A total of 432 responses were gathered, and they were examined using hypothesis testing and partial least square based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study confirms the statistically proven impact of work pressure, job rotations and work–life-balance practices on working conditions. Job rotations, work–life balance practices and working conditions directly influenced job satisfaction. Work pressure did not influence job satisfaction directly, but it significantly influenced working conditions, which eventually affected job satisfaction. Working hours neither affected working conditions nor job satisfaction in a significant manner.

Practical implications

Covid-19 necessitated working from home, which is a peculiar work–life balance situation. The findings are helpful for organisations in planning strategies related to work–life-balance, working hours, multi-skilling, working conditions and other quality of work life factors in both regular working conditions and under Covid-19 conditions.

Social implications

The proven influence of work pressure and work–life-balance practices may result in the formation of informal organisations, social groups and increased social networking. As working hours are not diagnosed as an influencing factor for job satisfaction, organisations may think about increasing them, affecting the social fabric of the working community.

Originality/value

Previously unexplored interrelationships among various quality of work life factors are established. Under Covid-19 circumstances, factors such as working hours, work–life-balance and work pressure are investigated in a novel manner. The factors and their interrelationships are important to both quality management professionals and HR professionals.

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Ángela Ximena Campos García, Victoria Eugenia Cabrera-García, María del Carmen Docal-Millán, Lina María Acuña Arango and Fernando Riveros Munevar

Remote work has been intensifying in organizations, and the recent pandemic forced an immediate increase in it, ignoring its effect on the family. The purpose of this study was to…

Abstract

Purpose

Remote work has been intensifying in organizations, and the recent pandemic forced an immediate increase in it, ignoring its effect on the family. The purpose of this study was to analyze the work and personal-family life balance of Colombian workers during the lockdown and the effects on post-pandemic times.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative correlational study with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,069 participants: 349 (32.64%) men and 720 (67.35%) women.

Findings

A total of 44.8% of the participants reported that their work interfered with their personal life; 61.6% reported that their work exceeded their habitual time; 72.2% felt comfortable with the remote work; and women perceived more affectation, as did participants with children. No interaction was present between these variables. There are more interruptions for workers with children younger than 12 years.

Practical implications

There is satisfaction with remote work. However, there are difficulties regarding work-personal life balance that must be addressed to improve quality of life, with an emphasis on women and workers with children, especially younger children.

Social implications

This study provides empirical evidence for the foundation of public and organizational policies aimed at managing remote work and the work-personal life balance to reduce the risk of loss of female labor force and effects on the quality of life of workers.

Originality/value

Studies on the work-personal life balance with Latin American samples are scarce. This research contributes to the literature about satisfaction with working from home modality and the work-personal life balance during COVID-19 confinement, with a look at the differences by gender and the evaluation of the family conditions of Colombian workers, contributing to a regional perspective.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Shubhi Gupta, Sireesha Rani Vasa and Prachee Sehgal

This study aims to explore how information technology (IT) professionals perceive work-life balance (WLB) in a work-from-home (WFH) setup. Additionally, it explores what emotions…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore how information technology (IT) professionals perceive work-life balance (WLB) in a work-from-home (WFH) setup. Additionally, it explores what emotions one may associate with such changing work environments, which have high implications for organisational success.

Design/methodology/approach

The two primary research questions guided this research. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect the data so that respondents’ both subjective and objective perceptions were documented. Purposive cum snowball sampling was used to collect data from 262 IT professionals. However, the data was analysed using both qualitative (content analysis) and quantitative (chi-square) techniques.

Findings

The findings of this study are interesting in nature and reported the work-life experiences at various socio-demographic levels (age, gender, educational qualification, designation, work experience, income, type of family and the number of children). The comprehensive examination of the data obtained from diverse aspects related to remote work environments has shed light on crucial facets impacting IT professionals. A predominant observation derived from the study reveals a significant disparity in working hours between male and female respondents during remote work. This discrepancy is notable, with male employees tending to work longer hours (i.e. 10 or more hours daily) than their female counterparts. The investigation into respondents’ sleep patterns revealed that the majority slept between 5 h and 7 h daily, underscoring reduced sleep hours for IT professionals during remote work. This comprehensive study thus emphasises the multifaceted nature of gender-associated influences on work patterns, health and well-being during remote work scenarios among IT professionals. As remote work is the new normal, this study has high implications for future work arrangements and organisational success.

Practical implications

The findings of the study will assist managers in dealing with the work conflict issue of remote workers. Importantly, these managers should try eliminating or reducing workplace conflict, emotional exhaustion and social overload associated with remote work.

Originality/value

This study is a humble attempt to highlight the employee’s WLB in the context of WFH in an emerging market (i.e. India). Furthermore, emphasises practical issues associated with changing work paradigms and concludes with interesting recommendations for future work arrangements.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 February 2024

Grace Gao, Linna Sai and Mengyi Xu

This chapter focuses on exploring challenges encountered by the neglected group of employees who live alone and do not have children, particularly in relation to work-life balance…

Abstract

This chapter focuses on exploring challenges encountered by the neglected group of employees who live alone and do not have children, particularly in relation to work-life balance (WLB). We first question the conventional WLB discourse – predominately surrounded by addressing work-family conflicts. We next discuss how this formulates debates about the equality and fairness of HR policies affecting various groups of employees, with solo-living individuals being excluded. In addition to previously documented work-life issues, we articulate difficulties related to the pursuit of independence, freedom, balancing, and healthy work-life experiences for and specific to solo-living women academics. We conclude that our insights on “vulnerability” may lead to feminist approach being incorporated into work-life policy development in order to better engage underrepresented groups of employees, accommodate the needs of “others” and promote collective flourishing.

Details

Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-219-8

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2024

Rizwan Tahir

Utilizing boundary theory as a guiding framework, this study aims to explore facets of work–life balance (WLB) that women entrepreneurs experience in the context of the United…

Abstract

Purpose

Utilizing boundary theory as a guiding framework, this study aims to explore facets of work–life balance (WLB) that women entrepreneurs experience in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It sheds light on strategies women entrepreneurs use to manage and shape boundaries between their personal and professional lives.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 50 women entrepreneurs to gain a deeper understanding of their WLB challenges.

Findings

Integration is a boundary management approach used by most women in our sample, facilitated by the thin work–life boundary inferable from their entrepreneurial careers. Integration has all the hallmarks of being imposed on women entrepreneurs because of family role challenges and societal expectations, on top of their entrepreneurial obligations. Women are reactors; they shoulder societal, family and entrepreneurial roles while having little control over events and circumstances.

Practical implications

Boundary theory suggests two roles must be interconnected to coexist successfully. Women entrepreneurs can benefit from the synergy between their personal and professional lives. As their roles tend to be more complex, it is essential to consider the consolidation of both spheres as an ongoing process to maximize their benefits.

Originality/value

Today’s independent forms of working are contingent on flexible work arrangements, work intensification and wireless communication. Understanding how women entrepreneurs find balance amid boundarylessness adds to our limited knowledge of people in comparable environments.

Details

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5794

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 2000