The Mediating Role of Person-Job Fit between Work-Life Balance (WLB) Practices and Academic Turnover Intentions in India’s Higher Educational Institutions

Abstract

This study examines the impact of work-life balance (WLB) practices concerning academics’ turnover intention, person-job fit (PJF), and PJF’s relationship with academics’ intention to leave their jobs. The study further investigates person-job fit as an underlying mechanism of the association between WLB practices and turnover intention. The study’s data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire garnered from 550 full-time academics working in higher educational institutions in South India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry). Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed for the statistical analysis of the data, using Smart PLS 3.2.8 software. The study ascertained that WLB practices have a negative impact on academics’ turnover intention. Additionally, the study discovered that WLB practices have a positive impact on PJF. Similarly, PJF seems to have a significant negative influence on turnover intention. Moreover, PJF partially and negatively mediates the influence of WLB practices on turnover intention. Consequently, this study suggests implementing several WLB practices (e.g., telecommuting, job sharing, flexitime, paid parental leave, etc.) into higher educational institutions, since it may not only improve academics’ perception of their person-job fit but it may also reduce their turnover intention.