Comparing Work-Life Balance in Spanish and Latin-American Countries

Autor/inn/en	Carlier, Sandra Idrovo; Llorente, Consuelo Leon; Grau, Marc Grau
Titel	Comparing Work-Life Balance in Spanish and Latin-American Countries
Quelle	In: European Journal of Training and Development, 36 (2012) 2-3, S.286-307 (22 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2046-9012
DOI	10.1108/03090591211204751
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Family Work Relationship; Public Sector; Comparative Analysis; Public Policy; Questionnaires; Causal Models; Surveys; Cultural Influences; Decision Making; Human Resources; Labor Force Development; Cross Cultural Studies; Employers; Personnel Policy; Administration; Corporations; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; El Salvador; Peru; Spain + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Öffentlicher Sektor; Öffentliche Ordnung; Fragebogen; Kausalanalyse; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Cultural influence; Kultureinfluss; Decision-making; Entscheidungsfindung; Humankapital; Arbeitskräftebestand; Cultural comparison; Kulturvergleich; Personalpolitik; Verwaltung; Unternehmen; Brasilien; Kolumbien; Spanien
Abstract	Purpose: This paper aims to determine the level of awareness and implementation of family-responsible parameters: policies, enablers, practices, and culture, in Spanish and Latin-American companies, and how they impact work-life balance. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses data from different national IESE's Family-Responsible Employer Index surveys in Spain (1,000 companies) and five Latin-American countries (1,155 companies), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru, done between 2006 and 2008. This is a structured questionnaire that assesses the stage of development the organization is in regarding four main family-responsible parameters: policies, enablers, practices, and culture. Findings: Latin-American countries get a slightly higher number of companies that are fully supportive of work-family balance environment than Spain, but with lesser formal policies implemented and a stronger presence of enablers and practices. Policies are important but might not be as effective if not accompanied by the example of managers and staff as well as by a deep understanding of the cultural value placed by them on work, family and personal life. Research limitations/implications: The survey-based data used limits insight into causal relationships. Qualitative and longitudinal studies are needed in order to clarify motives for individual and organizational decisions regarding work-life initiatives. Data collected are from one source only: employer's management. Multi-source studies must follow and include the public sector. Originality/value: This is the first comparison between Spanish companies and companies from five Latin-American countries regarding work-family policies, enablers, practices and culture with such an ample number of companies. Findings will aid HRD practitioners in developing work-family initiatives and help researchers to address new questions in cross-cultural comparisons. (Contains 1 figure and 6 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10