Relationship Between Flexible Working Arrangements and Job Satisfaction Mediated by Work-Life Balance: Evidence From Public Sector Universities’ Employees of Pakistan

Abstract

The research focused on relationship between flexible working arrangements, work-life balance and job satisfaction in Karachi’s public universities. To investigate the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between these variables. Research design is descriptive as we determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Independent variable is flexible working arrangements which include: flexi-time, contractual working, work shifts and telecommuting, that are provided to employees to improve their productivity and maintain work-life balance. A structured questionnaire is designed to collect approximately 200-sample size via online and by university visits. Survey forms were distributed using random sampling method among more than nine different public universities of Karachi. The research is quantitative in nature and analyzed through CFA and SEM, using smart PLS. Findings show that flexible arrangements are significantly correlated with work-life balance. It also revealed that work-life balance is a strong mediator between flexible arrangements and job satisfaction. Importance of flexible arrangements within an organization is highlighted in the recommendations to improve employees’ satisfaction, their performance, work to family enrichment hence to increase productivity. Research included both quantitative and qualitative data and examined the relationship of flexible arrangements, work-life balance and job satisfaction from the view point of public universities.