scholarly journals Boundary Management Preferences, Boundary Control, and Work-Life Balance among Full-Time Employed Professionals in Knowledge-Intensive, Flexible Work

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christin Mellner ◽  
Gunnar Aronsson ◽  
Göran Kecklund
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Control ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Boundary Management ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Management Preferences

Profound changes are taking place within working life, where established boundaries between work and personal life are challenged by increased global competition, ever-faster changing markets, and rapid development of boundary transcending information and communication technologies (ICT). The aim of this study was to investigate boundary management preferences in terms of keeping work and personal life domains separated or integrated, that is, segmenting or blending of domains, the perception of being in control of one´s preferred boundaries, and work-life balance among employees at a Swedish telecom company (N = 1,238, response rate 65%, men 73%, mean age 42 years). Psychosocial work factors, individual characteristics, sociodemographic factors, and work-life balance were investigated in relation to boundary management preferences and perceived boundary control. For high boundary control among segmenters, nearly all the studied psychosocial work factors were significant. Among integrators, this was the case only for clear expectations in work. For both groups, the individual capacity for self-regulation was associated with high boundary control. Regarding sociodemographic factors, cohabiting women with children who preferred segmentation had low boundary control. Finally, there was a main effect of boundary control on work-life balance. In particular, male segmenters perceiving high boundary control had better work-life balance than all others. Conclusions of the study are that segmenters need external boundaries in work for succesful boundary management. Moreover, self-regulation seems a crucial boundary competence in knowledge- intensive, flexible work. Results are of value for health promotion in modern work organizations in supporting employees achieving successful boundary control and subsequent work-life balance.

scholarly journals Occupational and Individual Determinants of Work-life Balance among Office Workers with Flexible Work Arrangements

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Bjärntoft ◽  
David M. Hallman ◽  
Svend Erik Mathiassen ◽  
Johan Larsson ◽  
Helena Jahncke
Keyword(s):  
Job Demands ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Boundary Management ◽  
Flexible Work Arrangements ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Overtime Work

Flexible work arrangements permitting workers to work anytime and anywhere are increasingly common. This flexibility can introduce both challenges and opportunities for the organisation, as well as for worker work-life balance (WLB). This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the extent to which occupational factors (organizational, leadership and psychosocial) and individual work-related behaviours (over-commitment, overtime work and boundary management) are associated with WLB, and whether these associations are modified by the perceived level of flexibility at work (i.e., control over when, where, and how to do the work). In total, 2960 full-time office workers with flexible work arrangements at the Swedish Transport Administration participated. Associations were determined using linear regression analyses with adjustment for covariates. The strongest negative associations with WLB were found for over-commitment, quantitative job demands, expectations of availability, and overtime work. Strongest positive associations were found for boundary management, information about organizing work, social support, and relation-oriented leadership. Perceived flexibility was positively associated with WLB, and interacted with several of the examined factors, buffering their negative associations with WLB. Results suggest that WLB can be promoted by organizational initiatives focusing on minimizing excessive job demands, increasing psychosocial resources, supporting boundary management, and enhancing perceived flexibility.

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.

Flexible Work Arrangements: A Human Resource Development Tool to Reduce Turnover

2021 ◽  
pp. 152342232098293
Author(s):  
Marvin Bontrager ◽  
M. Suzanne Clinton ◽  
Lee Tyner
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Employee Development ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Black Swan ◽  
Flexible Work Arrangements ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Development Tool

The Problem. An increasing number of organizations are experiencing concerns from employees regarding work-life balance. Organizations that have chosen to implement formal flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have experienced reluctance from their employees to participate. COVID-19 has forced the hand further toward FWAs, and created additional work life balance concerns. The Solution. FWAs present an opportunity for organizations to address work-life balance concerns, especially amid the black swan event of COVID-19. Implementing FWAs provides opportunity for organizations to reduce turnover and facilitate employee development through work life balance programs. The Stakeholders. The informal processes of FWAs should receive due attention by HRD practitioners and scholars alike.

scholarly journals Flexible Work Arrangements and Their Impact on the Employee Performance of Egyptian Private University Employees: (A Case Study on the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport)

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Eshak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Flexible Work Arrangements ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to analyse the impact of flexible work arrangements on the employee performance of employees in private Egyptian universities in Alexandria, mediated by work-life balance (applied to the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport). institutions to retain talented people, raise the efficiency of employee performance, and thus raise the efficiency of institutional performance and competitive capabilities of organizations. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method and the questionnaire as a tool for data collection, to measure the impact of flexible work arrangements (focusing on reducing working hours, benefits provided to employees, work policies towards parenting) on the work-life balance, and the extent of the impact of all this on raising the efficiency of employees' employee performance. A stratified random sample of 423 employees was used, and the data collected was analysed using SPSS and AMOS statistical software. The findings revealed a positive relationship between flexible work arrangements (reduced working hours, benefits provided to employees, and work policies toward parenting) and employee performance, as well as a positive relationship between flexible work arrangements and work-life balance, as well as a positive relationship between work-life balance and employee performance, and the researcher recommends implementing such policies.The recommendations also include the need to review current labour laws before legislators, and update them in line with contemporary technological development and the requirement to achieve a balance between the requirements of life and work. This study also recommends the adoption of reducing working hours as one of the flexible work policies offered by organisations to employees. The study concludes that flexible work arrangements and programmes are in fact a competitive tool that organisations can use to increase loyalty, improve performance, achieve commitment and job satisfaction, which enhances the organization's productivity.

Beyond Work and Life

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 166-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Grisslich ◽  
Antje Proske ◽  
Hermann Körndle
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Social Time

Research concerning Work-Life balance has focused primarily on a division between time devoted to work and social life; but in addition, individuals require time for themselves–they desire “me time.” This study investigates the role of me time when considering more than two dimensions for the Work-Life balance model. By combining theoretical considerations regarding me time with an existing four-dimensional life-balance approach, the existence of a three-dimensional life-balance concept with factors for work time, social time, and me time was tested and confirmed. Secondly, the predictive effects of the life-balance concept on health were studied. The results showed that the three-dimensional life-balance model predicts more variance in health than does the two-dimensional approach that includes only the factors work and social time. Individuals who scored high on a self-reported life-balance scale also scored higher on self-reported health measures. Finally, the relationship between life balance and personal resources was investigated. Core self-evaluations and self-regulation revealed predictive effects on life balance. In line with theoretical expectations, individuals skilled in personal resources reported higher levels for life balance.

scholarly journals Work-Life Balance and Manager Performance in Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
A K M Mominul Haque Talukder ◽  
Margaret H Vickers
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Hours ◽  
Employee Benefits ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Work Pressure

The current interest in work–life balance (WLB) emanates from the perception that extreme workplace demands can have negative consequences for employees in other important life spheres such as family and leisure. Changes in society that increase the numbers of individuals with significant responsibilities both at home and at work have fuelled further inquiry into the interdependencies between work and home life. Much of the work-life research has been conducted in Western countries, so it is unknown whether theories, models and findings are valid in other settings despite the few studies from emerging economies such as Asia and Africa. The present study examined the effect of the determinants of WLB on individual performance in a developing country’s context. Data were collected from a large logistic firm to identify the link between work environment, work pressure, discrimination, leave options, flexible work hours, employee benefits, and individual performance. Results revealed positive relationships of work environment, leave options, flexible work hours, and employee benefits with individual performance while it was negatively related to discrimination and work pressure. The findings suggested that a pragmatic work-life balance is required to have an increased level of performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.   Keywords: Performance, work environment, work pressure, work-life balance.

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