Qualitative study of work-life balance between Finnish working people

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School of Business | Bachelor's thesis
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Authors

Date

2019

Department

Mikkelin kampus

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

(Mikkeli) Bachelor’s Program in International Business

Language

en

Pages

34 + 7

Series

Abstract

Objectives The main objective of this thesis was to critically review literature relating to potential generational differences in the value of work-life balance and examine what actions organizations and individuals can/do take to achieve a better work-life balance. Furthermore the thesis aimed to uncover themes and new perspectives towards better understanding the generational similarities and differences in actions and perceptions towards work-life balance. Summary Overall values and actions towards achieving a better work-life balance were reasonably consistent across generations. Work-life balance was desired and the primary method of achieving a better work-life balance was physical crafting and high permeability between work and home. Perceived employee-employer relationships have a significant role in overall actions taken towards crafting behavior, and the importance of interesting and engaging work directly affects both perceived work-life balance as well as physical and cognitive crafting behavior. Significant changes in life stage impacted life role values and thus the perceptions of work-life balance. Conclusions Generational similarities in values suggest low overall impact of generation on the perception of work-life balance. However changes in life stages and demographics of family such as relationships, age of children and divorce had a significant impact on work-life balance. It was concluded that organizations should adapt temporal, locational and other policies in accordance to different life stages of employees to better promote individual work-life balance of employees.

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Thesis advisor

Warhurst, Russell

Keywords

work-life balance, generation, values, life stage, organizational policy, crafting behavior, border theory

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Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201910135659

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