The influence of hierarchical organizational culture, supportive environment and sexual harassment on Korean women’s work-to-family enrichment

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among hierarchical organizational culture, organizational support for women, sexual harassment and work-to-family enrichment of working women in South Korea. Design/methodology/approach A total of 196 responses from married female employees who had a child (or children) in for-profit organizations in South Korea were analyzed by using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analysis. Findings The findings indicated that hierarchical organizational culture was negatively associated with organizational support and was positively associated with sexual harassment. In addition, an organizational atmosphere that is friendly and supportive to women had a positive effect on work-to-family enrichment. However, the more sexual harassment female workers experienced, the less positive the relationship between their work and family lives. Hierarchical organizational culture negatively affected work-to-family enrichment, but the effect was indirect through organizational support and sexual harassment. Originality/value These findings emphasize the importance of transforming the traditional culture in Korean organizations to reduce power distance to create a more female-friendly and supportive environment. With the dramatic recent increase in the number of female workers, building such an environment can enhance organizations’ competitiveness by creating a positive spillover effect between women’s work and family lives.