Author: Luk, Mui Dora
Title: An investigation of work-family conflict : a cross-cultural comparison
Degree: Ph.D.
Year: 2001
Subject: Work and family -- China -- Hong Kong
Work and family -- China -- Hong Kong -- Cross-cultural studies
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations
Department: Department of Management
Pages: x, 240 leaves ; 30 cm
Language: English
Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict for both the Hong Kong Chinese and Westerners who live in Hong Kong. The investigation consisted of two studies. In Study 1, qualitative research was carried out to acquire an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of work-family conflict experienced by both Hong Kong Chinese and Western families. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 couples (6 Chinese and 6 Western). Based on my analysis of these interviews, and existing work-family conflict literature, I developed a theoretical framework of the determinants and consequences of work-family conflict. In this model, I hypothesized that various work domain stressors and support variables would affect work interference with family (WIF) conflict, and that family domain stressors and support variables would have an important influence on family interference with work (FIW) conflict. I then predicted that these two forms of work-family conflict would result in both individual outcomes (i.e., marital quality and life satisfaction) and organizational outcomes (i.e., intention to quit and job satisfaction). Furthermore, I proposed the importance of, and tested for, both gender and cultural effects. In Study 2, a quantitative investigation was conducted to test the proposed model empirically. I collected data from 278 employees and their spouses. The sample included both local Chinese (248) and Western couples (30) who work and live in Hong Kong, and have children living with them. Hierarchical multiple (moderator) regression analyses were performed using each sample to test the relationships between work-family conflict and the proposed antecedents and consequences, and to test the interactive effects of gender. The results indicated that there were cultural differences between Hong Kong Chinese and Westerners regarding the level of work-family conflict and its antecedents and consequences. Hong Kong Chinese experienced significantly more FIW conflict, and westerners reported more WIF conflict. Among the proposed work domain antecedents of WIF conflict, the Hong Kong Chinese sample indicated that time commitment, work role expectation, and position were significant. For the Western sample, position was a significant predictor of WIF conflict. For the Hong Kong Chinese sample, family involvement and parental demand were significant predictors of FIW conflict; however, only family structure was a significant predictor for Westerners. The interplay between the work and family domains had a strong influence on Hong Kong Chinese employee job satisfaction, and on Westerner marital quality. No interactive effects of gender were found for either sample. Implications of these findings are discussed for both practitioners and researchers.
Rights: All rights reserved
Access: open access

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/1587