Work-family boundary management strategies: examining outcomes, and the role of fit

As more and more people attempt to effectively manage the simultaneous demands of work and family, researchers are now trying to investigate the various ways by which people choose to do so. The present study investigated the concept of boundary management strategies that describes the work-family interface in terms of cognitive, physical, and behavioral boundaries between work and family domains that individuals actively try to manage in order to balance the two worlds. Research in boundary management strategies has been minimal due to the the novelty of the construct. In this study, specific individual and organizational outcomes like work-family conflict, work engagement, and burnout of boundary management strategies were examined. The study also tested the role of work and family salience as moderators of the hypothesized relationships. Finally, a novel concept of fit between preference and actual use of boundary management strategies was proposed and tested. Findings indicated that boundary management strategies significantly affect work-family conflict, burnout, and certain aspects of work engagement. Some of these relationships were moderated by work involvement which in general implied that the outcomes of using a particular strategy may not be the same for everyone. Outcomes may also vary depending on the direction of boundary management, work-to-home or home-to-work. Finally, the congruence between what strategy is preferred and what is practiced was found to have a significant impact on one's attitude towards one's organization. The findings of the study are likely to have important practical implications by which individuals and organizations are better informed about work-family management strategies and their implications in day-to-day lives.