scholarly journals The impacts of work-life-balance (WLB) challenges on social sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 868-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahman Mushfiqur ◽  
Chima Mordi ◽  
Emeka Smart Oruh ◽  
Uzoechi Nwagbara ◽  
Tonbara Mordi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Environment ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Stress Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of work-life-balance (WLB) challenges for Nigerian female medical doctors. This study focusses on Nigeria, which its peculiar socio-cultural, institutional and professional realities constitute WLB as well as social sustainability (SS) challenge for female medical doctors. Design/methodology/approach Relying on qualitative, interpretivist approach and informed by institutional theory, this study explores how Nigeria’s institutional environment and workplace realities engender WLB challenges, which consequently impact SS for female doctors. In total, 43 semi-structured interviews and focus group session involving eight participants were utilised for empirical analysis. Findings The study reveals that factors such as work pressure, cultural expectations, unsupportive relationships, challenging work environment, gender role challenges, lack of voice/participation, and high stress level moderate the ability of female medical doctors to manage WLB and SS. It also identifies that socio-cultural and institutional demands on women show that these challenges, while common to female physicians in other countries, are different and more intense in Nigeria because of their unique professional, socio-cultural and institutional frameworks. Research limitations/implications The implications of the WLB and SS requires scholarship to deepen as well as extend knowledge on contextual disparities in understanding these concepts from developing countries perspective, which is understudied. Originality/value This study offers fresh insights into the WLB and SS concepts from the non-western context, such as Nigeria, highlighting the previously understudied challenges of WLB and SS and their implications for female doctors.

scholarly journals Exploring the implications of the influence of organisational culture on work-life balance practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Ajibade Adisa ◽  
Chima Mordi ◽  
Ellis L.C. Osabutey
Keyword(s):  
Working Hours ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related

Purpose Whilst significant evidence of western work-life balance (WLB) challenges exists, studies that explore Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are scarce. The purpose of this paper is to explore how organisational culture in Nigerian medical organisations influences doctors’ WLB and examine the implications of supportive and unsupportive cultures on doctors’ WLB. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses qualitative data gleaned from semi-structured interviews of 60 medical doctors across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria in order to elicit WLB challenges within the context of organisational culture. Findings The findings show that organisational culture strongly influences employees’ abilities to use WLB policies. Unsupportive culture resulting from a lack of support from managers, supervisors, and colleagues together with long working hours influenced by shift work patterns, a required physical presence in the workplace, and organisational time expectations exacerbate the challenges that Nigerian medical doctors face in coping with work demands and non-work-related responsibilities. The findings emphasise how ICT and institutions also influence WLB. Originality/value The paper addresses the underresearched SSA context of WLB and emphasises how human resource management policies and practices are influenced by the complex interaction of organisational, cultural, and institutional settings.

Institutionalised patriarchy and work-life balance (WLB) challenges for female medical doctors: the case of Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uzoechi Nwagbara
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Male Dominance ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Choices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how institutionalised patriarchy triggers work-life-balance (WLB) challenges for Nigerian female medical doctors. It is focused on Nigeria to understand how its unique institutional context poses WLB challenges.Design/methodology/approachRelying on exploratory qualitative approach based on 41 semi-structured interviews with female medical doctors in Nigeria and informed by institutional theory (IT), this study explores how patriarchal institutions create, maintain and transmit male dominance, exploitation and inequality in the family, workplace and larger society.FindingsThe findings of this study show that patriarchy exists not only in family but also in all structures and institutions that allow for control of women by men and further inequality and exploitation of women. It was also found that in contrast to research in the west, WLB challenges stemming from Nigeria's patriarchal institutions are significantly different because of the peculiar institutional frameworks framing them. Also, WLB challenges for female physicians while common to female doctors in western countries are more intense in developing countries, given their unique sociocultural and institutional realities.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of this study are that WLB challenges of female doctors are not fundamentally driven by individual choices but by broader contextual issues, which create and sustain such challenges. Further studies can be undertaken in private hospitals including quantitative approaches.Originality/valueThis research thus contributes to both institutional theory and WLB discourse from the perspective of developing countries.

scholarly journals The experiences of work-life balance, stress, and coping lifestyles of female professionals: insights from a developing country

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1015
Author(s):  
Babatunde Akanji ◽  
Chima Mordi ◽  
Hakeem Adeniyi Ajonbadi
Keyword(s):  
Health Sector ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Family ◽  
And Coping

PurposeGiven the limiting conditions of the gender roles confronting professional working women and drawing on spillover theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of work-life balance with an emphasis on the causes of the imbalances, perceived stress, and coping techniques experienced by female medical doctors in an African context – Nigeria, a geographical location that is considered under-researched.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative data is based on one-to-one in-depth interviews with 52 Nigerian female medical doctors.FindingsBased on the findings of the thematic analysis, it is clear that time squeeze, as a well-known factor in the medical profession, exacerbates negative work-home interference. However, other themes, such as patriarchal proclivities and task-pay disparity, that affect female doctors but are rarely considered in studies on work-life balance also emerged as sources of stress and work-family conflicts, leaving these doctors to devise individual coping methods as mitigating strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relies on a limited qualitative sample size, which makes the generalisation of findings difficult. However, the study contributes to the limited literature on the implications of stress and work-family incompatibilities facing women in a society that is not particularly egalitarian, with an extremely pronounced culture of masculine hegemony that is contrary to western cultures. The article unveils the socio-cultural difficulties of the work-life demands facing women specific to the Nigerian society and experienced with a different level of intensity.Originality/valueThe majority of the research on work-life balance has been undertaken in western countries and has focused on various professional groups and organisations, including the health sector. Nevertheless, work-life balance is a novel concept within the Nigerian work environment, where female medical doctors, as a professional group, are rarely studied. The article also provides valuable insights into the macro-contextual features influencing the work-life balance of Nigerian professional women.

scholarly journals What happened to the border? The role of mobile information technology devices on employees’ work-life balance

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1651-1671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Ajibade Adisa ◽  
Gbolahan Gbadamosi ◽  
Ellis L.C. Osabutey
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Information

Purpose Mobile information technology devices (MITDs) are of special interest for researchers who seek to understand the role of these devices on employees’ work-life balance (WLB). The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses semi-structured interviews to investigate the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB. Findings The findings underscore the important role of MITDs in terms of the attainment of flexibility (how, where, and when work is done), which is significant for achieving WLB. However, the use of MITDs has blurred the division between work and non-work domains. This has inadvertently lengthened employees’ working hours, has affected their family relationships, and affected their general health and well-being. The evidence suggests that MITDs have the potential to improve WLB but could also lead to work-life conflict if not properly managed. Originality/value The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices, specifically border theory, in order to ensure that MITDs can enhance productivity without inadvertently resulting in poor WLB.

Exploring how institutions shape managerialist employment relations and work-life balance (WLB) challenges in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1401-1421
Author(s):  
Uzoechi Nwagbara
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Subsequent Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Unique Context

PurposeThis study explores the nexus between institutions and managerialist employment relations and subsequent work-life balance (WLB) challenges for Nigerian employees. Through an exploratory approach, the paper investigates how institutions shape employment relations, which is characterised by systematic and normalised managerialist practices and lack of employee participation.Design/methodology/approachRelying on a qualitative, interpretive approach, this study explores the relationship between institutional pressures, managerialism and employment relations. 31 semi-structured interviews and nine focus group interviews data was used.FindingsThis paper found that institutions shape organisational practice, specifically employment relations and human resource management (HRM) practice generally through its normative tendency. The study also found that although managerialist employment relations leads to WLB challenges, Nigeria's unique context aggravates this situation constituting serious WLB challenges for workers.Research limitations/implicationsResearches dealing with the relationship between managerialism, employment relations and WLB are largely underdeveloped and under-theorised. HRM phenomena such as unhappy workforce, stress, lack of flexibility, burnout, turnover and turnover intention, associated with management practice, have major implications for engagement procedures and HRM strategies. However, the sample size used potentially limits generalisation including its qualitative approach.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the dearth of researches focusing on employer–employee relationship quality as a precursor to WLB challenges and a mediator between managerialist employment relations and WLB challenges. Additionally, the study contributes to the burgeoning WLB discourse from developing countries perspective, which is understudied. It also sheds light on how Nigeria's unique context can bring new insights into the nascent WLB discourse and its associated HRM practices.

scholarly journals Institutions and organisational work-life balance (WLB) policies and practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uzoechi Nwagbara
Keyword(s):  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Organizational Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
Organizational Work ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Policies And Practices

PurposeThis paper examines the relationship between the institution’s organizational work-life-balance (WLB) policies and practices and subsequent challenges faced by Nigerian workers. The paper argues that institutions shape WLB practices (and policies), and thus, constitute WLB challenges.Design/methodology/approachRelying on qualitative, interpretive approach, and the institution-based view of organizational practice, the study investigates the relationship between institutions, WLB practices/policies, and subsequent challenges that female workers undergo, using 25 semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe findings reveal Nigeria’s unique institutional context frames and foster challenges for female workers. Also, it was identified that institutional and sociocultural pressures on female employees demonstrate that consequent challenges, while common to female workers in other countries, are more intense and challenging in Nigeria because of its peculiar institutions and context.Research limitations/implicationsThis study offers an opportunity to unpick how institutions are important in understanding organizational practices as part of wider social structures, which influence organizational realities, including WLB. The qualitative, exploratory approach undertaken can limit generalizing the findings.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the emerging concept of WLB discourse from the developing countries’ perspective. It also reveals how WLB discourse differs from nonwestern context and emphasizes previously identified challenges that female workers experience based on WLB practice. The study also sheds light on how institutions shape organizational practice.

Study-work-life balance of international students in the context of temporal boundaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-79
Author(s):  
Megan O'Mahony ◽  
Debora Jeske
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Boundary Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Time Zone ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Personal Challenges

The goal of this qualitative study was to examine the experience of study-work-life balance among international students who were separated from their family both geographically and temporally. Using 10 semi-structured interviews with postgraduate students and thematic analysis, several themes were identified. These included boundary management shifts due to study/work demands and time zone differences. In addition, students reported social and personal challenges (in terms of family’s expectations, relationships maintenance, socialization in host country). Temporal boundaries contributed to social withdrawal and isolation among students, many of which were heavily reliant on their own family network for support. The findings strengthen the argument that time difference impacts the boundary management and social experience of international students.

Supportive supervisor to curtail turnover intentions: do employee engagement and work–life balance play any role?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raminderpreet Kaur ◽  
Gurpreet Randhawa
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Supervisor Support ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Personal Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Supervisor Support

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of employee engagement and work–life balance in perceived supervisor support and turnover intentions relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe perception of teachers on the constructs considered has been assessed by a survey using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected from the teachers of private schools of Punjab, India, and 375 were valid number of responses. Parallel multiple mediated regression was used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of perceived supervisor support on turnover intentions mediated through employee engagement and work–life balance.FindingsThe results reveal that the effect of perceived supervisor support on turnover intentions is indirect rather than direct. On the comparison of specific indirect effects, the results demonstrate that employee engagement and two dimensions of work–life balance (work interference with personal life and work–personal life enhancement) act as mediators in the perceived supervisor support and turnover intentions relationship.Practical implicationsSchool principals need to draft teacher-friendly policies for enhancing work–life balance and employee engagement so that teachers can feel satisfied with their work and can handle work and family demands. In this way, positive perceptions associated with high engagement and work–family balance can take place, which in turn can curtail the turnover intentions of teachers.Originality/valueThe use of employee engagement and work-life balance in the relationship of perceived supervisor support and turnover intentions is unprecedented. The study also considered three different dimensions of work–life balance and tested the model in an integrative manner. Since the study is based on an Indian sample, it also adds to growing literature on turnover intentions in nonwestern countries. The results are of great value to school managements, HR managers and policymakers who are seeking to develop practices that reduce employee turnover at workplaces.

COVID-19: prevalence of job-demands, stress, work–life difficulties and work–life balance among international business travelers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilmante Kumpikaite-Valiuniene ◽  
Luisa Helena Pinto ◽  
Tahir Gurbanov
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Business Travel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Travelers ◽  
Perceived Change ◽  
Stress Work

PurposeInternational business travelers (IBTs) face daily challenges pertaining to the frequency and duration of travel. Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the study aims to draw upon the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and the literature on work–life balance (WLB) to examine how this crisis have disrupted IBTs routines and the implications for their WLB.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in April 2020 with an online survey answered by 141 IBTs from different locations. The first set of analyses examined the perceived change in job-demands (i.e. business travel and workload) including stress and work–life difficulties following the outbreak of COVID-19. The second set of analyses tested the hypotheses that the perceived change in workload and stress predict IBTs' work–life difficulties, which, in turn, affect their WLB.FindingsThe results show that the decline in job-demands (i.e. business travel and workload) after the outbreak of COVID-19 was not enough to reduce IBTs' stress and ameliorate their work–life difficulties and WLB. Only respondents who experienced a decrease in workload, including less relational difficulties, reported a superior WLB.Originality/valueThe study widens the scope and relevance of global mobility studies in crisis settings by timely reporting the changes in job-demands, stress and work–life difficulties among IBTs following the outbreak of COVID-19. Additionally, the research extends the use of the JD-R model in the international context by advancing our knowledge of the interplay between contextual demands and job-demands in affecting IBTs' stress, work–life difficulties and WLB.

scholarly journals Do work-life balance practices mediate in the relationship between female participation and financial performance?

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Dolores Odriozola ◽  
Elisa Baraibar-Diez
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Female Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the participation of women in companies with financial performance. However, this relationship does not arise directly. The authors argue that the participation of women in the company’s staff has a positive effect on the creation of work-life balance (WLB) practices, due to women have traditionally assumed family responsibilities, and subsequently these practices positively affect financial performance. WLB practices are a tool to balance employees’ professional and personal goals.Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to determine whether WLB practices mediate in the relationship between female participation in the workforce and financial performance on large companies listed in the Spanish Stock Exchange Index during the period from 2008 to 2013.FindingsThe main finding is that female participation in the workforce positively affects to the availability of WLB practices, but WLB practices are not a mediator to increase financial performance.Originality/valueThe study is a new contribution for academics and practitioners, since the WLB has a role of moderating variable; and the positive joint effect of female participation and WLB practices is tested over the company’s outcomes, instead of over the individual employee behaviour like in previous literature. In addition, this effect is studied in a country with economic recession where corporate WLB practices have increased in the last decade.

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