Conceptualizing Work—Family Balance: Implications for Practice and Research

TLDR

Systematic theorizing about work–family balance has lagged, hindering organizations from monitoring and strategically using it, and the article defines work–family balance as the negotiated accomplishment of role expectations shared between individuals and their work and family partners. The article aims to develop a better conceptual understanding of work–family balance. It elaborates on the definition, addresses limitations of prior concepts, and outlines human‑resource research areas and strategic management implications.

Abstract

The problem and the solution. Systematic theorizing about work—family balance has not kept pace with interest, which undermines organizations' abilities to effectively monitor work—family balance and to use work—family balance strategically. The goal of this article is to develop a better conceptual understanding of work—family balance. Work—family balance is defined as accomplishment of role-related expectations that are negotiated and shared between an individual and his or her role-related partners in the work and family domains. This article elaborates on how this definition of work—family balance addresses limitations of previous conceptualizations and describes areas for human resource development research and implications for using work—family balance strategically in management practice.