Linking demands to work-family conflict through boundary strength

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a model to examine how the active management of work-family boundary strength acts as behavioral mechanism through which role-based factors – role demands and role identity – influence the conflict experienced by individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were conducted to examine the proposed model. Studies 1 and 2 used an experimental design to test the causal effects of role demands on the strength of work and family boundaries, whereas Study 3 surveyed 389 working professionals to test the interactional and mediating effects of the model variables on inter-role conflict.

Findings

Results suggest that increasing demands in one domain weaken the boundary strength around the cross-domain to make resource drain possible, which, in turn, increases the conflict experienced in that domain; moreover, results show that work identity reinforces the weakening of the boundary strength at home caused by increasing work demands.

Research limitations/implications

The study of boundary management decisions as an underlying mechanism through which individuals’ role-based factors affect work-family conflict (WFC) can offer new insights into how to manage increasing work-family responsibilities.

Practical implications

This study findings can help individuals to cope with role demands and organizations to promote a culture that supports work-family balance.

Originality/value

This paper advances WFC research by examining alternative mechanisms through which role demands influence WFC. Methodologically, the research improves on past studies by bringing together experimental and correlational designs.

Citation

Furtado, L., Sobral, F. and Peci, A. (2016), "Linking demands to work-family conflict through boundary strength", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 31 No. 8, pp. 1327-1342. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2015-0408