Toward contextual understanding: antecedents of work-family interface in India

Abstract

PurposeThe current study examined cultural (diffuse orientation), organizational (organizational work-family climates) and individual (role centrality) antecedents of key work-family (WF) experiences (WF conflict, WF enrichment and WF boundary management) in India.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 586 white-collar employees in India. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsAnalyses revealed interesting culture-specific insights into the WF dynamic. For example, less demarcation between WF boundaries (diffuse orientation) did not increase WF conflict, but significantly fostered WF enrichment, challenging the findings in the Western cultural contexts. A supportive organizational WF climate was found to be a crucial factor that alleviated WF conflict, whereas greater investment in work role led to greater WF enrichment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study addresses a dearth of research on antecedents of WF interface that simultaneously examines the positive and negative aspects of WF interface. It also advances the WF literature by generating empirical evidence related to the cultural dimension of diffuse orientation.Originality/valueThis study provides a holistic view of WF interface in the Indian context by incorporating various antecedents in one model.