The Quest for Work and Family Balance Using Flexible Work Arrangements PDF
Preview The Quest for Work and Family Balance Using Flexible Work Arrangements
Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 The Quest for Work and Family Balance Using Flexible Work Arrangements Sandra Ellen Forris Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theBusiness Administration, Management, and Operations Commons,Labor Economics Commons,Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, and theWomen's Studies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Sandra Forris has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Salvatore Sinatra, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Howard Schechter, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. James Bowman, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract The Quest for Work and Family Balance Using Flexible Work Arrangements by Sandra E. Forris MA, Baker College, 2004 BS, Wayne State University, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Applied Management and Decision Sciences Walden University August 2015 Abstract Employees experience challenges managing home and work. The increase of women in the workforce, single-parents, childcare, elder care responsibilities, and men in nontraditional roles warrant changes in traditional working hours and flexibility in work schedules. Through the theoretical frameworks of work-family conflict, spillover, border, and boundary theories, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how flexible work arrangements (FWAs) assisted employees in meeting work and family obligations. Minimal research is available in the defense industry and the use of FWAs. A nonprobability, convenience sample was used to explore how management and nonmanagement participants from a Midwest defense contractor used FWAs. An online questionnaire consisting of 59 questions and 14 face-to-face (FTF) interviews were used to collect data. There were 27 participants that responded to all online questions. FTF interviews were audio recorded and member-checked. The research questions were focused on how employees used FWAs and whether work-family balance (WFB) was achieved. Both data collection media were transcribed and inductively coded tracking emerging themes and patterns. Dominant themes showed that FWA increased WFB, employees worked longer hours, employees were loyal to the organization, and telecommuting was the ideal FWA. The implications for social change are providing a realistic view to employers on the importance of balancing work and family. FWAs are also shown to contribute to employee satisfaction and attract and retain highly-skilled workers. The Quest for Work and Family Balance Using Flexible Work Arrangements by Sandra E. Forris MA, Baker College, 2004 BS, Wayne State University, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Applied Management and Decision Sciences Walden University August 2015 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to all the families that struggle with the challenges of meeting family and work obligations. In today’s society, we can become overwhelmed with so many daily responsibilities. It is my hope that the information contained in this dissertation will assist families and employers with making life’s daily challenges more manageable. Acknowledgements Thank you to my wonderful family and friends who listened and encouraged me throughout my doctoral journey. There are too many names to list, but you know who you are! My sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the individuals who took part in this study; your support was invaluable. I would also like to thank Dr. Salvatore Sinatra and Dr. Howard Schechter who provided so much knowledge and scholarship and led me through the processes with such ease. You will always have my sincere gratitude. Thank you also to Dr. James Bowman, URR, who made sure I got it right! My special thanks to the rocks and constants in my life. My wonderful daughters, India and Alexis, and my soul mate David. Thank you for handling the family responsibilities and all your encouragement and support. I could not have done it without your understanding and patience. I also thank my grandson Amir whose smile reflects a light that guided me through the darkness. I love you all. Finally, as always, I thank my Lord and Savior for continued blessings and making it all possible. Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Exhibits ................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Family Interference with Work and Work Interference with Family ............................3 Background ....................................................................................................................6 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................9 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................11 Research Questions ......................................................................................................12 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................13 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................15 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................16 Assumptions .................................................................................................................18 Limitations of the Study...............................................................................................19 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................21 Summary ......................................................................................................................22 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................24 Introduction ...............................................................................................................24 Work-Family Balance (WFB) Defined .....................................................................26 Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs)......................................................................28 Adverse Effects of FWAs .........................................................................................30 Recent Research ........................................................................................................31 Low-Wage Workers ..................................................................................................36 i WFB Theories ...........................................................................................................37 Spillover Theory .......................................................................................................37 Boundary Theory ......................................................................................................38 Border Theory ...........................................................................................................39 Work-Family Conflict (WFC) Theory ......................................................................41 Women and WFB .....................................................................................................44 Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Roles of Women ....................................................46 Generations X and Y .................................................................................................50 Related Research and Literature ...............................................................................51 Gaps in the Literature..........................................................................................51 Summary ...................................................................................................................53 Chapter 3: Methodology ....................................................................................................55 Introduction ...............................................................................................................55 Qualitative Method: Phenomenology .......................................................................56 The Researcher’s Role ..............................................................................................57 Methodology .............................................................................................................58 Participant Recruitment ............................................................................................59 Population Sample and Sample Size.........................................................................61 Data Collection Instruments .....................................................................................62 Data Collection and Verification ..............................................................................64 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................66 Data Storage ..............................................................................................................68 Validity and Reliability .............................................................................................68 i i Credibility .................................................................................................................68 Rationale for the Study .............................................................................................70 Confidentiality and Ethical Consideration ................................................................72 Summary ...................................................................................................................73 Chapter 4: Findings ............................................................................................................75 Introduction ..................................................................................................................75 Participant Background ................................................................................................75 Recruitment ..................................................................................................................79 Limitations of Participant Selection.............................................................................80 Methodology and Instrumentation ...............................................................................81 Data Collection ............................................................................................................81 Summary of Findings ...................................................................................................82 Online Questionnaire Results ................................................................................82 Face-to-Face Interview Demographics ..................................................................83 Face-to-Face Interview Results..............................................................................84 Data Analysis and Interpretation .................................................................................99 Key Findings ........................................................................................................101 Emerging Themes ................................................................................................102 Strategies Employed to Ensure Quality Data .............................................................104 Links to the Literature ................................................................................................105 Spillover Theory ..................................................................................................105 Work-Family Conflict ..........................................................................................107 Boundary Theory .................................................................................................108 ii i
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