In today's globalised world economy, it is becoming increasingly pressing to shine a light on the interface of work and private life. In order to fully understand the issue we must take an inclusive view and not limit our understanding to Western perspectives. This contributed volume encompasses research and perspectives from the global south, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and South America. In doing so, this collection fills a gap in existing literature to give a broader view of the topic. Divided by geographic territory into three sections, the book combines original research, case studies and interviews as well as comparative studies. Chapters cover a wide range of emerging issues including gender and work-life balance; the role of culture; men and household work and work and family balance, to name a few. Crucially, the book offers critical perspectives and understanding of work-life interface/balance/conflict as a collection of conceptual, theoretical, and empirical studies that draws on qualitative and mixed methodologies.

Bringing a unique contribution to the field, this book is a useful resource for students, academics, managers and policy makers.

Toyin Ajibade Adisa is Senior Lecturer in HRM and Organisational Behaviour at the University of East London, UK. Currently, he is a course leader for HRM undergraduate course at UEL. His research interest covers areas of flexible working practices and gender equality. Toyin has published in high-impact academic journals.

Gbolahan Gbadamosi is Associate Professor Organisational Behaviour and HRM, Bournemouth University Business School, UK. He has over 100 academic publications, most in scholarly academic journals. Gbola at different times has been affiliated with 6 universities in 5 countries. He has completed several Ph.D. supervisions and about 20 doctoral examinations.

Autorentext

Toyin Ajibade Adisa is Senior Lecturer in HRM and Organisational Behaviour at the University of East London, UK. Currently, he is a course leader for HRM undergraduate course at UEL. His research interest covers areas of flexible working practices and gender equality. Toyin has published in high-impact academic journals.

Gbolahan Gbadamosi is Associate Professor Organisational Behaviour and HRM, Bournemouth University Business School, UK. He has over 100 academic publications, most in scholarly academic journals. Gbola at different times has been affiliated with 6 universities in 5 countries. He has completed several Ph.D. supervisions and about 20 doctoral examinations.

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Chapter One

The Myth and the Reality of Work-life Balance in Nigeria

(By Gbadamosi, G. and Adisa, T.)

Abstract

This chapter examines the myth and the reality of work-life balance in Nigeria. Nigeria is a country with a population of over 190 million out of which more than 120 million are engaged working in formal and informal sector of the economy. The country is often seen as a beacon of African economic progress, Nigeria represents both the hope and the despair of Africa. At least one out of every five black people on earth is a Nigerian. The chapter will examine the various issues affecting employees' work-life balance in Nigeria. It will draw on qualitative and quantitative scholarly outputs, embedded and grounded in empirical evidence to inform conclusions and recommendations to be drawn.

Chapter Two

The Work-life Balance of Minority Women Managers in Corporate South Africa

(By Nasima Carrim and Eileen Koekemoer)

Abstract

Research related to work-life balance of minority women on the African continent is sparse. The aim of this chapter is to fill this gap by examining how Indian women (a minority group in South Africa) managers balance their work and home lives and how they succeed in reaching senior and top management posts in the process. The chapter will first focus on the literature related to work-life balance of women in Africa more broadly. Thereafter the qualitative research methodology will be presented. Then the results extracted from interviews with Indian women managers will be highlighted.

Chapter Three

The Nexus between Work-life Balance and Gender Role

(Ghada El-Kot and Sarah Fahmy)

Abstract

This chapter aims to highlight the critical role of gender in achieving work-life balance in Egyptian organisations. This chapter is divided into four main parts. It begins with a description of the Egyptian business context by highlighting the importance of socio-culture. It will emphasize the main factors required to achieve work life balance in Egypt, by examining gender role and other factors in the research context. Additionally, it will reflect on the importance of HRM practices in enhancing employee well-being and the significance of changing workplace cultures in support of women. Furthermore, the government role in women empowerment will be explained by shedding light on current work-life balance programs in Egypt. Finally the chapter will examine the key challenges and opportunities for achieving work life balance in Egypt.

Chapter Four

The Role of Culture in the Work-life Border Management: An Insight from Ghanaian Workers (Kwame Adom)

Abstract

It is true that work is seen as an integral component of the survival of mankind. It is also true that family life is equally important to people's existence. Ensuring a balance between work and family life for many is a herculean task. This becomes even more critical for women especially in most Sub Saharan Africa countries where the woman is labelled as the carer for the family and thus tends to be seen as housewives than actively engaging in economic activities. Until now, most of the studies in this area tend to focus on work and family life balance with little attention paid to the role of culture in work-life border. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap by investigating the role of culture in the work-life border management.

Chapter Five

Work-life Balance/Work-life Conflict in China

(Fang Lee Cooke).

Abstract With the rapid growth of economy and the informalisation of employment, work intensification has been a common experience shared by many workers in China across industrial sectors and occupational groups. This chapter critically examines ...