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.

Different strokes for different folks? The impact of heterogeneity in work characteristics and country contexts on work-life balance among the self-employed

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 880-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Annink ◽  
Laura Den Dulk ◽  
José Ernesto Amorós
Keyword(s):  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Work Life ◽  
The Self ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Work Characteristics ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of self-employed work characteristics (consumer orientation, innovativeness, number of employees, motivation, and entrepreneurial phase) on work-life balance (WLB) satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The job demands and resources approach is applied to test whether self-employed work characteristics are evaluated as job demands or resources for WLB. The Global Entrepreneurship Data (2013) offer a unique opportunity to conduct multilevel analysis among a sample of self-employed workers in 51 countries (N=11,458). Besides work characteristics, this paper tests whether country context might explain variation in WLB among the self-employed. Findings The results of this study reveal that there is a negative relation between being exposed to excessive stress and running a consumer-oriented business and WLB. Being motivated out of opportunity is positively related to WLB. In addition, the results indicate that country context matters. A higher human development index and more gender equality are negatively related to WLB, possibly because of higher social expectations and personal responsibility. The ease of doing business in a country was positively related to the WLB of self-employed workers. Social implications For some workers self-employment might be a way to combine work and responsibilities in other life domains, but this does not seem to be valid in all cases. Originality/value This paper contributes to current literature on the WLB of self-employed workers by showing how work characteristics can be evaluated as job demands or resources. Including work characteristics in future research might be a solution for acknowledging the heterogeneity among self-employed workers.

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.

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 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.

scholarly journals An exploratory assessment of callings: the importance of specialization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Paul Cain ◽  
Lisa Nicole Cain ◽  
James A. Busser ◽  
Hee Jung (Annette) Kang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Career Satisfaction ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Golf Course ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study sought to understand how having a calling influenced engagement, work–life balance and career satisfaction for Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) and Golf Course Superintendent of America (GCSA) professionals.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model was used to examine callings among golf course supervisors and its impact on their engagement, work–life balance and career satisfaction. This study also explored the moderation effect of employees’ generalized or specialized role on the calling–engagement relationship. Surveys were collected from a single golf management company and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.FindingsThe results revealed significant relationships among all of the variables, with the exception of the impact of having a calling on work–life balance. Additionally, the more having a calling increased, the more important it was for supervisors to have specialized roles to increase their engagement.Originality/valueThis study identifies important differences in factors that promote career satisfaction for golf course supervisors and extends current understanding of role theory.

Work–life balance: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumari Rashmi ◽  
Aakanksha Kataria
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear view of current dynamics and research diversification of extant literature in the field of work-life balance (WLB). This paper provides a systematic and critical analysis of WLB literature using bibliometric analysis.Design/methodology/approach Scopus database has been used for carrying out this review that is based on 945 research papers published from 1998 to 2020. The prominence of the research is assessed by studying the publication trend, sample statistics, theoretical foundation, the highly cited research articles and journals, most commonly used keywords, research themes of top four recognized clusters, sub-themes within each cluster and thematic overview of WLB corpus formed on the premise of bibliographic coupling. Additionally, content analysis of recently published papers revealed emerging research patterns and potential gaps.Findings Major findings indicate that the research area consists of four established and emerging research themes based on clusters formed as (1) flexible work arrangements, (2) gender differences in WLB, (3) work–life interface and its related concepts, and (4) WLB policies and practices. Emerging themes identified through content analysis of recent articles include gender discrepancy, the impact of different forms of contextual (situational) factors and organizational culture.Originality/value This research paper is the first of its kind on the subject of WLB as it provides multifariousness of study fields within the WLB corpus by using varied bibliographic mapping approaches. It also suggests viable avenues for future research.

Tracking the search for an elusive work-life balance sweet spot: Nigerian insights on the lifestyle challenges of female doctors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Sweet Spot ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper highlights the 90-plus hour weeks worked by Nigerian female doctors in an under-resourced health system, at the detriment of their family life. They use coping strategies for their grueling life schedule, such as employing uneducated “house-helps” to care for their children, inviting family members to move in with them to provide informal childcare, and seeking emergency emotional support from sympathetic colleagues as a way of enduring stress. This extreme negative spillover between home and work responsibilities risks exhausted doctors making mistakes, and has driven many to seek a better work-life balance in western countries. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

At the heart of family businesses: how copreneurs craft work-life balance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romana Dreyer ◽  
Christine Busch
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Resource ◽  
Small Family ◽  
Resource Perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how experienced copreneurs of small family business (SFB), as the smallest unit and heart of their family business (FB), may create work-life balance (WLB). Copreneurs evince highly intertwined life-domains and often struggle to respite while managing their high business demands.Design/methodology/approachIn this couple interview study with 18 experienced copreneurial couples of SFBs (N = 36), we investigated strategies copreneurs use to create their WLB by merging a resource perspective (Hobfoll, 1989) with the concept of WLB crafting (Sturges, 2012).FindingsA key strategy in copreneurial couples was the structural establishment of microdomains, such as periods of personal resource recreation within a macrodomain (e.g. work) via individual physical and cognitive WLB crafting. Copreneurs used relational WLB crafting with a strong emphasis on seeking support and mainly to protect their microdomains by relying on their spouses as boundary keepers. Women more often expressed the importance of health and time for respite, as cognitive WLB crafting, and they were more active in creating (joint) recovery opportunities. Dyadic WLB crafting strategies were used when goal congruency for work or private activities was high.Originality/valueThis research applies WLB crafting research to the smallest unit of SFBs, namely copreneurs. The study provides in-depth insights into the strategies copreneurs of SFB use to create a satisfying WLB.

Ensuring better output in library services through work life balance: a study of librarians’ opinion

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasmita Rani Samanta ◽  
Bijayalaxmi Rautaray ◽  
Dillip K. Swain
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Level Of Significance

Purpose This paper aims to attempt to explore and examine work–life balance situation of employees working in reputed academic libraries in Odisha, India and to study how they make a balance of duties and assignments offered to them in their respective organizations with that of their personal lives with possible recommendations basing upon the views of the respondents. Design/methodology/approach The paper investigates how working librarians of the surveyed institutions maintain work–life balance. A structured questionnaire was administered among the respondents to elicit their responses. The investigators conducted specific interview sessions among some selected librarians of reputed libraries of Odisha, India to know their pragmatic views relating to the way they balance their official works with that of their personal lives. The gathered data was fed into MS Excel file for analysis and subsequent interpretation. SPSS was used for obtaining chi-square value for knowing the level of significance of result. Findings The study finds that majority of respondents express their job satisfaction and happiness with the working environment of their respective institutions, and they are offered annual increments and career promotion, as this has become the key aspect of every organization to retain employees. It further reveals that very few respondents express that they are desired by their respective institutions to devote extra time and very few male respondents indicated that they carry family tension in their mind to their respective work places compared to their female counterparts. Moreover, the study reveals that institutions are proactive enough to embrace modern information communication technology offering suitable digital working ambience to their employees. Research limitations/implications The paper primarily deals with work-life balance of employees in the field of library and information science of the state of Odisha (India) as the respondents in its scope of discussion. Originality/value The paper aims to contribute new knowledge to the corpus of existing literature on work–life balance with some constructive outcomes for effective generalization.

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