Quality of Work Life as a Precursor to Work–Life Balance: Collegiality and Job Security as Moderators and Job Satisfaction as a Mediator

Abstract

The current study investigates the relationship between quality of work life (QWL) and work–life balance (WLB) among construction workers in a developing country, India. A multi-layered conceptual model involving collegiality and job security as moderators in the relationships were developed. A survey instrument was used, and data were collected from 592 construction workers from southern India. After checking the psychometric properties of the measures using LISREL 9.30 software for covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), a structural model was analyzed using Hayes’s PROCESS macros. The findings indicate the following: (i) QWL is positively associated with (a) WLB and (b) job satisfaction; (ii) job satisfaction positively predicts QWL; and (iii) job satisfaction mediates the relationship between QWL and WLB. The results also support the following: (i) work environment (second moderator) moderates the moderated relationship between QWL and collegiality (first moderator) in influencing job satisfaction; and (ii) work hours (second moderator) moderates the moderated relationship between job satisfaction and job security (first moderator) to influence WLB. The first three-way interaction between QWL, collegiality, and work environment and the second three-way interaction between job satisfaction, job security, and work hours have been investigated for the first time concerning construction workers in a developing country context and make a novel contribution to the advancement of literature on QWL and WLB. Further, this study contributes to the socio-economic well-being of workers and contributes to the sustainable working environment. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.