Study of married workers in Indian IT shows influence of work-family enrichment on job satisfaction

Abstract

PurposeThe researchers wanted to examine work-family enrichment using the antecedent variables of proactivity, work-family self-efficacy (WFSE) and family permeability,Design/methodology/approachThe researchers selected married individuals working full time with at least one child younger than the age of 16. Respondents were drawn from the IT sectors in the large southern Indian cities of Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Respondents answered questions about their proactive personality, WFSE, family permeability, WFE and job satisfaction, in addition to demographic variables around age, gender, children and dual-earner status.FindingsThe results show the influence of work-family enrichment (WFE) on job satisfaction. The authors said the strong correlations between the three personality-based antecedents and WFE made it essential for managers to consider each individual worker’s personality traits, as well as to produce work policies and job specifications that helped people to manage their work-family interrelationships.Originality/valueThe authors say the research has made three unique contributions to work-family literature. First, they have explored individual preferences and personality variables that result in greater enrichment. Second, the study has advanced WFE literature by considering family permeability as a preference. Finally, the study has answered the calls of previous researchers to look at variables like work-family self-efficacy as additional resources that help enrichment.