A conceptual framework to measure the effectiveness of work-life balance strategies in selected manufacturing firms, Lagos metropolis, Nigeria.
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Achievement of work-life balance (WLB) by manufacturing firms in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria is still a major challenge. Most manufacturing companies have put in place various work-life balance strategies (WLBS) such as parental leave, employees’ health and wellness programmes (EHWP), dependant care, personal development and flexible work arrangement to overcome this challenge. However, the efficacy of these WLBS at helping employees to address work and family stressors are still in doubt. Exploring the mediating influences of WLB satisfaction and WLBS on the link between work-family stressors and organisational performance could contribute to the body of literature in human resource management. Given the preceding, developing a conceptual framework to measure the effectiveness of WLBS in the selected manufacturing firms is of utmost importance to human resource management practice.
This study employed explanatory sequential mixed methods research design in providing the required explanations of the mediating influences of WLBS and work-family satisfaction on the link between work-family stressors and organisational performance. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to select respondents for quantitative data ollection. A self-reported questionnaire was used as the main research instrument for this study. A total of 350 structured questionnaires were administered, while 315 questionnaires were returned from which three were not properly completed and were discarded. The remaining 312 which constituted an 89% response rate were coded and analysed for this study. Subsequently, six members of the management staff were purposively selected to participate in interviews for qualitative data. Five hypotheses which align with the research questions and objectives were formulated and tested using multiple regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Qualitative data was analysed utilising NVivo 11. The result of the statistical analysis revealed that there was no relationship between WLBS and employees’ job performance in the selected manufacturing firms. This implies that, the WLBS in place at the selected firms did not impact on job performance. The results also showed that there was no direct link between work-family stressors and the selected manufacturing firms’ performance. Rather, work-family stressors exert indirect influence on the selected manufacturing firms’ performance through WLBS and work-family satisfaction, indicating full mediation. The managerial implication of this study was drawn from the mediation analysis which illustrated that WLBS and work-family satisfaction mediate the relationship between work-family stressors and manufacturing firms’ performance. It is recommended that the manufacturing firms HR operate an inclusive policy in the redesigning of the WLBS by getting the employees involve in the redesign process.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.