Global mobility and the career of the stay-at-home partner

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Mutter ◽  
Kaye Thorn
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Global Mobility ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Family Demands ◽  
At Home

Purpose Contemporary global mobility and dual careers are two key features of working life today. Little is known, however, about where they intersect, where one partner travels for their career, while the other partner is left behind, caring for the family and attempting to manage their own career. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the partner’s career is impacted by the traveller’s absence, and the strategies employed to enable their continued career development. Design/methodology/approach The paper employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on semi-structured interviews with the partners of international yachtsmen. Findings The findings highlight the prioritisation of the traveller’s career, for reasons of finance and their passion for their career. The implications of this could be detrimental to the partner’s career. Personalised, flexible working arrangements are essential in order for the partner to achieve a sustainable career of their own. Research limitations/implications The gendered nature of the sample provides an opportunity for further research examining the implications of the female being the traveller and the male the stay at home partner. Practical implications The paper examines a range of alternative strategies for maintaining or developing the career when also faced with additional family responsibilities. Originality/value This paper gives consideration to the career of the stay at home partner. A new dual-career strategy is identified – the entrepreneurial secondary career strategy, which has the potential to deliver the flexibility required to manage both work and family demands, and allow partners to enact their authentic career.

Gender culture and Malawian women’s reconciliation of work and family responsibilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa
Keyword(s):  
Work And Family ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Gender Culture ◽  
Cultural Systems ◽  
Formal Employment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine how cultural systems shape spousal attitudes and the expectations placed upon women. This is based on the assumption that cultural systems shaping spousal attitudes and expectations on women makes their reconciliation of work and family responsibilities difficult despite sorting out childcare challenges and support with domestic work. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on 55 semi-structured interviews with Malawian women working in formal employment. From the 55 women interviewed, 31 worked in the public education sector and the remainder in the private sector’s financial and insurance sector. However, for comparison, 24 men from the same sectors were also engaged in the interviews. These were drawn from education and finance and insurance industries. Findings Analysis reveals that contrary to extant literature, childcare is not all or even always the main focus of family responsibilities potentially affecting Malawian women’s work life. Their experiences with reconciling work and family responsibilities were influenced by gender culture, which shapes spousal attitudes and community expectations. Research limitations/implications This study has not generated results suitable for statistical generalisation, but it may still allow for theoretical generalisation to similar contexts. Practical implications Managers need to recognise that women may be coming from homes and communities that place demanding expectations on them. Social implications There is need for promotion of gender equal social norms that enable women, just as men, to focus on their careers. Originality/value This paper contributes to limited literature about women’s experiences with reconciliation of work and family responsibilities in the contexts of a developing country where women have access to relatively affordable childcare support.

Employee benefits and high-tech fatherhood

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orna Blumen
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Gender Segregation ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Employee Benefits ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Work Family

Purpose – This study, inspired by the theory of the separate spheres, considers the social circumstances of employee benefits, examining the needs of fathers in dual-earner families to cope with work and family responsibilities. The purpose of this paper is to explore how high-tech managers view the work-family interface of R & D engineers and analyzes the typical package of discretionary, non-financial, work-family employee benefits. Design/methodology/approach – Relying on the phenomenological approach, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 22 private-sector managers disclosed their shared perception and experience, revealing the informal level at which underlying social principles becomes business strategy, often intuitively. Findings – Values of gender are assimilated into the informal environment and reflected in the selection of benefits which have been effective in attracting labor in demand. Recently these values have been challenged by new ideas of more involved fatherhood, and these are inadequately addressed by the package of benefits. Research limitations/implications – Larger samples from various socio-cultural settings are needed. Practical implications – Managers are advised not to be blinded by the financial worth of discretionary employee benefits and consider how these meet the actual, as opposed to stereotypical, needs of employees and their family members. Observing social dynamics and considering non-financial consequences of employee benefits are essential for business-society continuity. Also, organizations of relatively low-social diversity should not alienate themselves from their multicultural environment. Social implications – The study unveils the reciprocity between organizations and people. Traditional fatherhood is being contested and negotiated at the work-family interface, as embedded to ongoing changes in the social meaning of gender. That employee benefits help to maintain the masculinity of high-tech, reflects also on gender segregation in the workplace. Originality/value – The study illustrates how businesses apply social values and describes how such values are processed and reinstated in society as employee benefits.

Organizational citizenship behavior and job flexibility in Family-Responsible Companies: a study from the perspective of employee family situation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florina Guadalupe Arredondo-Trapero ◽  
José Carlos Vázquez-Parra ◽  
Ana Sofía González-Arredondo
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Organizational Citizenship ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Commercial Company ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Job Flexibility

PurposeThe aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between the personal life situation and marital status of the worker and how this relates to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and job flexibility. The study has been carried out with a group of Mexican employees from a commercial company located in the northeast of the México.Design/methodology/approachThe research is a nonexperimental empirical study using t-test, Levene’s test and Cohen’s test to analyze the significant relationship between the variables under study for 419 employees. The questionnaire was applied only once without a control group against which to compare. The study was carried out in a commercial company located in a city in northeastern Mexico, covering four municipalities in the conurbation area.FindingsThe research reveals that those workers who participated in the study and who have direct family responsibilities show greater OCB and value job flexibility more highly. The tests also found that a flexible working policy is valued by all those with direct family responsibilities, regardless of their marital status. It is also shown that there is a positive relationship between job flexibility and OCB, although not a strong one.Practical implicationsDecent work implies labor policies that support women and men to have an adequate work–life balance. Companies seeking work–family balance through the implementation of policies such as flexible working arrangements should consider the domestic background of their employees, as this has a direct impact on competitive advantage and is of importance when recruiting and retaining human talent. These findings may also be useful for companies interested in implementing flexible working policies to retain employees with family responsibilities who value the ability to reconcile work and family life.Originality/valueThis research demonstrates the relevance of OCB and job flexibility for employees. If the company wants to enhance OCB, they must consider that personal situation as well as the employee's marital status influences OCB. They should also consider that work flexibility is highly valued by those employees who have children or family dependents.

Moderation Effect of Supervisor Support between Flexible Working Arrangement andWork-Family Conflict in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-726
Author(s):  
Eni Suriana Binti Alias Et.al
Keyword(s):  
Family Conflict ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Supervisor Support ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Work Conflict ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Working Couples

There have been major changes in current workforce competitiveness trends. The changes in workforce demographics particularly in the increase of dual-earner families and single-parents have resulted in increased multiple role conflicts. Working couples must cope with the problem of combining work and family responsibilities in their daily life. Many industries adopted the current trend of the flexible working environment into their organizations. This study explores the moderation effect of supervisor support between flexible working arrangements (FWA), the effect on work interference with family conflict (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW). The population for this study primarily focused on the organizations that adopt the flexible working arrangement such as flexible working time, working from home, and compressed work-week practices in Malaysia. The companies selected is based on the listing of global organizations practices FWA mentioned in Talent Corp Malaysia Flexible Working Arrangement collaboration with Malaysian Federation Employer report, 2015. The questionnaires were distributed through the Human Resource Department of each organization. The result demonstrated that there is relationship between FWA and WIF and there was moderation effect of supervisor support (SS) between FWA and WIF.  However, the result showed no moderation effect of SS between FWA and FIW. This study supports the idea that supervisor support is a resource that helps employees to manage the occurrence of interference from work to family and to overcoming FIW, supports particularly from family members either siblings, parents and spouse is important. The implication of this study is that, work conflict issue requires the proactive effort and support not only from the organization in terms of supervisor support through FWA but also support within the family circle. Organizations approach in adopting FWA in their attempts to minimize WFC is recommendable but it should be applied across occupation and organizations as one of employee benefits policy.

Changing times and women on the wheels: a qualitative investigation of the experiences of female commercial drivers in Lagos State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Temitope Owolabi ◽  
Tunde A. Alabi ◽  
Sofiat A. Busari-Akinbode
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lagos State ◽  
Commercial Drivers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Changing Times ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Purpose This study aims to investigate female commercial drivers in the Lagos metropolis. The study sought to know the circumstances that motivated women to venture into commercial driving; the experiences they encounter whilst engaging with other stakeholders in the public space; the dimension of the conflict between work and family, and the coping strategies used and finally, the health concerns of female commercial drivers. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a cross-sectional design and a qualitative method of data collection. An in-depth interview guide was used to elicit information from 18 female drivers drawn from three sectors of commercial transportation in Lagos State. Findings It was found that the major motivation for engaging in commercial driving is the need for survival and family support; although participants acknowledged that they cannot be in the profession for a long time. Married women had less time to engage in commercial driving due to other family responsibilities. Women drivers have experienced mixed reactions from other road users. Commercial driving is physically demanding and poses threat to the health of female commercial drivers. Originality/value The findings highlight the circumstances behind women participating in commercial driving. Despite the challenges encountered in this course of this activity, they are still bent on continuing because of the need to take care of their children, a majority of their spouses are not fully contributing to the maintenance of the home.

The role of insiders and organizational support in the learning process of newcomers during organizational socialization

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 562-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Mornata ◽  
Iolanda Cassar
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Organizational Socialization ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proactive Behaviors ◽  
Interpersonal Characteristics

Purpose This study aims to focus on newcomers’ learning strategies when they perceive organizational socialization support to be lacking, and on interpersonal characteristics that insiders should possess to support the newcomers’ proactive behaviors in this context. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through 14 face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed with a conventional content analysis method (Paillé and Mucchielli, 2013), involving first a thematic analysis and afterward, a conceptual analysis using MaxQDA11©. Findings The authors’ analysis highlights that when newcomers perceive the formal organizational socialization support as lacking, they regulate their proactive behaviors by seeking indirect guidance, and more precisely, by engaging in informal interactions with insiders likely to help them socialize. These interactions can have a cost in terms of self-image, so newcomers regulate their proactive behaviors by looking for insiders perceived to be psychologically safe, even if they have to look for them in other working contexts. Practical implications Considering the regulation process of newcomers’ proactive behaviors according to their perceptions, human resources management should focus on those perceptions and develop a blended learning approach including formal learning programs, as well as individualized support to facilitate on-the-job learning and respond to personal needs. Special consideration should also be given to interpersonal skills displayed by insiders. Originality/value The originality of the study is the use of a qualitative methodology focusing on newcomers’ main learning strategy according to their perception of organizational socialization support and the psychological safety climate. The limitations of the authors’ work are the size of the study population and the fact that part of the interviewees were successfully socialized by reaching 15 months on their new post at the point where the interviews were conducted.

scholarly journals Challenges to the learning organization in the context of generational diversity and social networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Kaminska ◽  
Stefano Borzillo
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Generation X ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Generational Diversity ◽  
Company Culture

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the challenges to the emergence of a learning organization (LO) posed by a context of generational diversity and an enterprise social networking system (ESNS). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative methodology based on an analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews in a high-tech organization and internal company documents relating to the introduction of a new, centralized ESNS. Findings This study uncovers fundamental differences between Generation X and Y employees regarding their ESNS adoption and use. While Xers take more time to adopt the new centralized ESNS introduced into the company, their use seems in line with the company culture and corporate norms of behavior. At the same time, even if Yers are faster ESNS adopters, they use it as they use Facebook disregarding the hierarchy and organizational boundaries. This creates tensions between Generation X and Y and undermines the formation of the LO. Research limitations/implications As conclusions are specific to a context of a single organization, the authors recommend other case studies, to enrich the findings. Originality/value By highlighting how the use of social networks modifies who has the power and the control over knowledge in an organization, this paper enriches the theory on the LO. It has implications for managers wishing to design LOs in the context of intergenerational diversity.

The impact of different supports on work-family conflict

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Maria Ferri ◽  
Matteo Pedrini ◽  
Egidio Riva
Keyword(s):  
Family Conflict ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Human Resource Managers ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Work ◽  
Work Family ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how the actual use of supports available from the state, organisations and families helps workers reduce perceived work–family conflict (WFC), explored from both works interfering with family (WIF) and family interfering with work (FIW) perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a survey of 2,029 employees at six large Italian firms. To test hypotheses, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Findings WFC should be explored considering its bi-directionality, as supports have different impacts on WIF and FIW. Workplace instrumental support elicits mixed effects on WFC, whereas workplace emotional support and familiar support reduce both FIW and WIF. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the Italian national context, and data were collected in a single moment of time, which did not allow for observing changes in employees’ lives. Practical implications Human resource managers, as well as policy makers, will find this study’s results useful in designing effective work–life balance policies and supports, in which attention is devoted mainly to promoting workplace emotional supports and facilitating familiar support. Social implications The study highlights that by reducing pressures from work and family responsibilities that generate WFC conditions, organisational and familiar supports elicit different effects, which should be considered carefully when defining policies and interventions. Originality/value This study is one of the few that compare the role of supports provided by actors in different sectors on FIW and WIF, thereby allowing for an understanding of whether the bi-directionality of the conflicts is a relevant perspective.

scholarly journals Mega-events brand meaning co-creation: the Olympic case

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Christiani Tjandra ◽  
Ivana Rihova ◽  
Sarah Snell ◽  
Claire S. Den Hertog ◽  
Eleni Theodoraki
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Brand Identity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Meaning ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Mega Event ◽  
Purposive Sample

Purpose This paper aims to explore a multi-stakeholder perspective on brand meaning co-creation in the context of the Olympic Games as a unique mega sports event brand with a strong brand identity, to understand how the brand manager may integrate such co-created meanings in a negotiated brand identity. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative methodology, the paper provides a tentative framework of co-created Olympic brand meanings by exploring the narratives of stakeholders’ brand experiences of the brand. Sixteen semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of Olympic stakeholders were conducted and analysed to identify key meanings associated with the Olympic brand. Findings Through their transformational and social experiences of the Olympic brand, stakeholders co-create brand meanings based on Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. However, at the same time, they offer their own interpretations and narratives related to competing meanings of spectacle, exclusion and deceit. Alternative brand touchpoints were identified, including blogs; fan and sports community forums; educational and academic sources; and historical sources and literature. Practical implications The brand manager must become a brand negotiator, facilitating multi-stakeholder co-creation experiences on a variety of online and offline engagement platforms, and exploring how alternative brand touchpoints can be used to access co-created brand meanings. Originality/value The study contributes to tourism branding literature by providing exploratory evidence of how brand meanings are co-created in the relatively under-researched multi-stakeholder sports mega-event context.

Barriers and enablers to women in fire and emergency leadership roles

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Parkinson ◽  
Alyssa Duncan ◽  
Frank Archer
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Leadership ◽  
Senior Women ◽  
Qualitative Component ◽  
In Fire

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand what (if any) actual and perceived barriers exist for women to take on fire and emergency management leadership roles within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria, Australia. Design/methodology/approach An anonymous quantitative online survey was used to collect data about opinions and thoughts of staff. This informed the qualitative component of the research – in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The combination of these techniques provides deeper insight into the nature of the barriers for women. Findings Respondents identified real barriers for women accessing leadership roles in fire and emergency. Reflecting the wider literature on barriers to women in executive roles, those identified related to sexism, career penalties not faced by men for family responsibilities, and assumptions of women helping other women’s careers. There were more men in senior roles, leaving senior women isolated and often overlooked. Women had fewer role models and sponsors than men and less developed networks, finding it harder to access training and deployments. The context was described by most as “a boys’ club”, where men were seen to dominate meetings and stereotype the abilities of women. Originality/value This paper analyses the barriers to women in fire and emergency leadership roles within a masculine workplace and is rare in including a qualitative aspect to the issue in the Australian context.

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