Work-Life Balance of Women Academics in Sri Lanka- The moderating effect of Individualism vs. Collectivism

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-family demands with work-life balance (WLB) and the moderating effect of individualism vs. collectivism on the identified relationship of women academics. Nowadays, the education sector in Sri Lanka is required to achieve the global demands and expectations of the new world. Consequently, the Sri Lankan higher education sector is continuously upgrading. Thus, women holding academic positions require attributes of intelligence, knowledge, and skills. Still, women in academics enjoy less freedom in family life relative to their men counterparts. This study is among the first attempts to explore the moderating effect of Individualism vs. Collectivism on the phenomenon of WLB among women academics in Sri Lanka. Focusing on WLB in the academic profession, this study has used the quantitative method to explore the relationship between work-family demand and WLB of culturally diverse women academics. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from a total of 801 university lecturers in Sri Lankan state universities. The result of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that work-family demands are negatively associated with WLB, and the cultural value of individualism vs. collectivism (IC) is observed that significantly moderate the relationship between work-family demands with WLB. These typical working and living conditions of women academics make it interesting and informative to understand their WLB and how the IC culture value influences their WLB. Moreover, this study supports understanding the perception-centred approach characterizing WLB research.