scholarly journals Work-family balance

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 414-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Ajibade Adisa ◽  
Gbolahan Gbadamosi ◽  
Ellis L.C. Osabutey
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Institutional Differences ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family

Purpose Given the reality that working mothers experience difficulties in achieving work-family balance because of the social restrictions that arise from parenting combined with career goals, this paper aims to explore the various coping strategies that are used by working mothers in the cities of London (Great Britain) and Lagos (Nigeria). Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 72 mothers who worked in banks in London (Great Britain) and Lagos (Nigeria). Thematic analysis and investigator triangulation are used. Findings The findings reveal various coping strategies used by working mothers in the cities of Lagos and London. The paper also unearths the efficiency and the shortcomings of the use of au pairs among British working mothers and the similarities and disparities in terms of such use compared to the traditional use of housekeepers in Nigeria. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing work–family balance literature by exploring the coping strategies of working mothers because of sociocultural and institutional differences in Great Britain and Nigeria.

scholarly journals Freedom and flexibility: the work–family balance of single female entrepreneurs in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Ajibade Adisa ◽  
Chima Mordi ◽  
Babatunde Akanji
Keyword(s):  
Role Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Single Female ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Employed Parents ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

PurposeWork–family research has mainly focused on nuclear families, neglecting other types of families, such as single self-employed parents. To what extent does the freedom and flexibility attached to being single and self-employed hinder or enhance single parents' work–family balance? Using role theory as a theoretical lens, this study examines single-self-employed parents' work–family balance.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the accounts of 25 single self-employed parents in Nigeria, the article uses semi-structured interviews to examine how this group achieves work–family balance.FindingsWe found that the freedom and flexibility associated with being single and self-employed form a double-edged sword that increases the spate of singlehood and intensifies commitments to work, altogether preventing the participants in the study from achieving work–family balance. The findings also indicate that singlehood and a lack of spousal support cause and exacerbate work–family imbalance for this group. The findings further indicate that the reconstruction of functions, and the recreation of the traditional masculine gender role overwhelm single self-employed women in their entrepreneurial activities, thereby causing a lack of time and the energy required to function well in a family role, thus creating imbalance between the different spheres of life.Research limitations/implicationsThe extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited sample and scope of the research.Practical implicationsWhile literature espouses freedom and flexibility as important ingredients needed to achieve work–family balance, this study shows that they enhance inter-role role conflict. The study suggests creation of private or family time, devoid of work or entrepreneurial engagements, for single female entrepreneurs. This will ensure quality time and energy for the family and for fresh relationship – all of which will impact business positively.Originality/valueRather than enhancing work–family balance, the freedom and flexibility attached to being single and self-employed remain the main source of work–family imbalance for Nigerian single self-employed parents.

scholarly journals The implications of work-family balance among dual-earner couples

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Ajibade Adisa ◽  
Ellis L.C. Osabutey ◽  
Gbolahan Gbadamosi
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Dual Earner ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Societal Problems

Purpose The implications of the work-family balance (WFB) of dual-earner couples are well known; however, the extant literature on this topic has failed to adequately explore the context of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), specifically Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the WFB of dual-earner couples in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This paper employs a qualitative methodology in order to explore the effect of couples’ dual-earner status on their WFB in an African context by using Nigerian medical practitioners as the empirical focus. Findings The findings reveal that the dual-earner status provides some respite from financial hardship and improves family finances, which subsequently enhances WFB. However, the dual-earner status also has negative impacts on WFB in terms of work performance, dysfunctionality, and associated societal problems. Originality/value This paper provides insights into the WFB of dual-earner couples in the non-western context of SSA, highlighting the previously unexplored implications of dual-earner status in the context of SSA.

An explanatory model of authentic leadership, flourishing and work–family balance of nurses in French hospitals

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverine Chevalier ◽  
Hélène Coillot ◽  
Philippe Colombat ◽  
Grégoire Bosselut ◽  
Laure Guilbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Explanatory Model ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between a positive leadership style [i.e. authentic leadership (AL)] and nurses’ psychological health (i.e. nurses’ flourishing and satisfaction with work–family balance), including psychological capital (PsyCap) as a mediational variable. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted with a self-report questionnaire including 1,076 nurses from public and private hospitals in France. Findings Structural equation modeling results revealed that AL is related to nurses’ flourishing and satisfaction with work–family balance and that PsyCap acted as a partial mediator between this leadership style and positive outcomes. Practical implications This research indicated that hospitals can enhance nurses’ psychological health not only in their work but also in their lives in general by improving leaders’ authentic management style and developing PsyCap (e.g. staffing, training and development). Originality/value An original feature of this paper concerns its focus on the mediating role of PsyCap in the relationship between AL and these positive outcomes. Moreover, this study underlined the influence of leadership style on nurses’ psychological health beyond occupational health. The research makes a valuable contribution to the existing AL literature by establishing a new explanatory model of AL and nurses’ psychological health in the French context. It also highlights the interest in developing this leadership style in health-care settings.

The power of balance: interplay effects of exploitative leadership style, work–family balance and family-friendly workplace practices on innovation implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Garlatti Costa ◽  
Darija Aleksić ◽  
Guido Bortoluzzi
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Innovation Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Family Friendly ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Workplace Practices ◽  
Work Family ◽  
High Level

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the inverted U-shaped relationship that exists between exploitative leadership styles and innovation implementation. In addition, drawing on the social cognitive theory, the paper explores the effect of the three-way interaction between exploitative leadership style (ELS), work–family balance (WFB) and family-friendly workplace practices (FFWPs) on innovation implementation.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study of 440 employees from 38 medium and large companies based in Italy and Croatia was conducted, using an online survey. The proposed hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThe results show that there is an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship between ELS and innovation implementation. Furthermore, the findings support the existence of the three-way interaction suggesting that the combination of high-level WFB and high-level FFWPs strengthens the relationship between ELS² and innovation implementation.Originality/valueThis is the first contribution that examines a curvilinear relationship between ELS and innovation implementation. Additionally, it contributes to the work–family literature by providing the first empirical examination of the joint impact of WFB and FFWPs in enhancing innovation implementation. Our results suggest that individuals who perceive a high level of WFB and who work in an organization with family-friendly practices are more accepting of an exploitative leader, and that the positive feelings from the family domain encourage the implementation of innovation. These results may change the attitudes of managers, encouraging them to consider WFB and FFWPs as important for the implementation of innovation.

Family-friendly practices, high-performance work practices and work–family balance

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Ronda ◽  
Andrea Ollo-López ◽  
Salomé Goñi-Legaz
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Family Friendly ◽  
High Performance Work Practices ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family

Purpose This paper aims to establish to what extent family-friendly practices and high-performance work practices are positively related to work–family balance and to identify the role played by job satisfaction and working hours as mediators of this relationship Design/methodology/approach We use data for a representative sample of almost 17,000 employees of dual-earner couples from European countries. To test the mediation mechanism implied by our hypotheses, we follow the procedure outlined in Baron and Kenny (1986). Given the nature of the dependent variables, ordered probit and regression models were estimated in the analysis. Findings The results show that, in general, family-friendly practices and high-performance work practices increase work–family balance and that these positive relationships are partially mediated by job satisfaction and working hours. While both family-friendly practices and high-performance work practices increase job satisfaction, only the first increase working hours. Moreover, job satisfaction increases work–family balance, while working hours reduces it. The net effect of these opposing forces on work–family balance is positive. Research limitations/implications The use of secondary data posits some constraints, such as the type of measures and the failure to control for a higher number of family-friendly practices and high-performance work practices. Additionally, the non-longitudinal nature of the data set implies that some relationships cannot be considered causal in the intended direction. Practical implications Managers should implement family-friendly practices and high-performance work practices, as, in general, they increase work–family balance. A significant portion of this positive effect is channeled through job satisfaction and working hours. Originality/value The paper contributes to understanding the relationship between different subsets of human-resources management practices and work–family balance, proposing a model that aims to disentangle the mediating mechanisms through which this relationship occurs.

Work to family, family to work conflicts and work family balance as predictors of job satisfaction of Malaysian academic community

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Mizanur Rahman ◽  
Noor Azman Ali ◽  
Amer Hamzah Jantan ◽  
Zuraina Dato' Mansor ◽  
Md. Saidur Rahaman
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to confirm that work to family conflict (W to FC), family to work conflict (F to WC) and work family balance (WFB) are the predictors of job satisfaction (JS) for Malaysian academic community. To achieve the fundamental objective, the authors first test the direct (structural model) effects of W to FC and F to WC on JS. Secondly, using mediation model, the indirect effects of WFB were calculated through W to FC, F to WC and JS. Design/methodology/approach Using convenience sampling, the data was collected from 280 academic people who work at private universities in Malaysia. Structural equation modelling technique was applied to complete the data analyses procedures. Findings The findings revealed that W to FC and F to WC have negative significant effects on JS. Besides, WFB partially mediates only the relationship between W to FC and JS while no mediation effect was found for F to WC and JS. Research limitations/implications All the research variables in this study were individual-level variables, thus it is suggested to use some organizational and national level variables such as religion and culture as they might be good intervening variables for predicting JS. Practical implications Using the findings of this research, the Malaysian private universities community can take some necessary initiatives to mitigate work family conflict (W-FC) and ensure WFB and JS that might enhance the standard of higher education in Malaysia. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to test the mediation effect of WFB in the relationship between both directions of W-FC and JS of employees from the perspective of Malaysia (a collectivist community).

eLancing motivations

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abubakar Mohammed Abubakar ◽  
Belal Hamed Taher Shneikat
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decentralized System ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Economic Production ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Work Family

Purpose eLancing is a networked online platform used for distributive problem-solving, economic production and service delivery. The platform includes websites/marketplaces where individuals interested in being hired, and clients looking for individuals to perform some type of work meet. eLancing boasts millions of users and billions of dollars in transactions, and it involves fundamental changes in the nature of work. The motivations of this research stems from the credo and notion in which the advances in technology are transforming firm and market structures, employee-employer relationship and the increased intimacy with decentralized system. In order to explore new applications for the eLancing model, there must be a better understanding of why individuals participate in eLancing activities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In total, 48 semi-structured interviews were conducted online with workers at elance.com. Findings Ten primary motivators for participation emerged that include following: work-family balance, flexibility and autonomy; economic incentives; skills development; trust and transparency; geographical location; unemployment, equality and disability; higher returns; reputation; passion and enjoyment in problem-solving; and revenge. Originality/value The current study has added rich qualitative data to the scanty eLancing literature and managerial implications are discussed.

Work–Family Balance Among Coach-Fathers: A Qualitative Examination of Enrichment, Conflict, and Role Management Strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Graham ◽  
Marlene A. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Meaningful Experiences

Work–family balance in sport has until this point largely been characterized as an issue for women. Current societal trends, however, suggest that men also struggle with balancing work and family responsibilities. Using theoretical frameworks from both conflict and enrichment, this study examined the ways that fathers who are coaches experience and manage the work–life interface. Twenty-four men who are fathers and high school varsity head coaches were interviewed for this study. The respondents discussed the day-to-day challenges and coping strategies they utilized to manage their work–life interface. Ultimately, five themes emerged from the data, including (a) coaching as more than an occupation, (b) experiences of conflict and strain, (c) coping strategies, (d) nonutilization of organizational supports, and (e) experiences of enrichment. These findings suggest that, indeed, men struggle with balancing competing role demands. However, the findings also suggest that men are utilizing diverse and creative approaches for managing their fathering and coaching roles, resulting in meaningful experiences of enrichment stemming from both coaching and fathering.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document