Attia Aman‐Ullah, Hadziroh Ibrahim, Azelin Aziz, W. Mehmood
{"title":"Balancing is a necessity not leisure: a study on work–life balance witnessing healthcare sector of Pakistan","authors":"Attia Aman‐Ullah, Hadziroh Ibrahim, Azelin Aziz, W. Mehmood","doi":"10.1108/apjba-09-2020-0338","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study aimed to examine the direct impact of work–life balance on employee retention and turnover intentions among doctors in Pakistan. Further, it also aimed to test the mediating role of job satisfaction on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study's data were collected from 394 doctors working in public hospitals in Pakistan, using survey-based questionnaires and stratified random sampling technique. For data analysis, structural equation modelling was utilised to investigate the direct and indirect associations among the variables, while Statistical Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data management.FindingsWork–life balance was found to have a positive association with employee retention and a negative association with turnover intention. Results suggest that a fair work–life balance is a significant predictor of employee retention and turnover intention. Also, job satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between work–life balance and employee retention and between work–life balance and turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's focus was limited to doctors working in public hospitals. Thus, future research can extend the scope to other segments such as nurses, paramedics and pharmacists from both public and private organisations.Practical implicationsHuman resource (HR) executives can improve employee retention and turnover intentions through strategic implementation of work–life balance practices. Policymakers should stress upon hospitals to implement favourable working hours that are satisfactory to employees to reduce turnover intention.Social implicationsIn the healthcare industry, suitable work–life balance strategies will help improve employees' lifestyle, which will positively impact their family and social relationships.Originality/valueThis study is expected to contribute to the existing healthcare literature in the context of Pakistan by explaining the process by which work–life balance affects employee retention and turnover intention. Specifically, job satisfaction is the mechanism that explains these relationships.","PeriodicalId":45401,"journal":{"name":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3000,"publicationDate":"2022-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"12","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/apjba-09-2020-0338","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 12
Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to examine the direct impact of work–life balance on employee retention and turnover intentions among doctors in Pakistan. Further, it also aimed to test the mediating role of job satisfaction on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study's data were collected from 394 doctors working in public hospitals in Pakistan, using survey-based questionnaires and stratified random sampling technique. For data analysis, structural equation modelling was utilised to investigate the direct and indirect associations among the variables, while Statistical Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data management.FindingsWork–life balance was found to have a positive association with employee retention and a negative association with turnover intention. Results suggest that a fair work–life balance is a significant predictor of employee retention and turnover intention. Also, job satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between work–life balance and employee retention and between work–life balance and turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's focus was limited to doctors working in public hospitals. Thus, future research can extend the scope to other segments such as nurses, paramedics and pharmacists from both public and private organisations.Practical implicationsHuman resource (HR) executives can improve employee retention and turnover intentions through strategic implementation of work–life balance practices. Policymakers should stress upon hospitals to implement favourable working hours that are satisfactory to employees to reduce turnover intention.Social implicationsIn the healthcare industry, suitable work–life balance strategies will help improve employees' lifestyle, which will positively impact their family and social relationships.Originality/valueThis study is expected to contribute to the existing healthcare literature in the context of Pakistan by explaining the process by which work–life balance affects employee retention and turnover intention. Specifically, job satisfaction is the mechanism that explains these relationships.
期刊介绍:
The Asia Pacific Journal of Business Administration (APJBA) publishes original research on: Business Strategy and Policy, Accounting and Board Governance, Marketing and People Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. The journal welcomes practical and skill-based submissions in these areas. There is particular interest in submissions regarding: Sustainable Business Practices, Quality Management Practices, Innovation and Creativity in Management, as well as Managing a Learning Organisation. The Asia Pacific region is full of collaborations between government, NGOs and private enterprise. Submissions are welcome which contribute to our understanding of partnerships and the cross-cultural issues. Research methods vary, and the journal is interested in the full diverse of qualitative (case and action research, etc) as well as quantitative survey studies and their recommendations. The APJBA seeks to become a forum for both established scholars and early career researchers in all aspects of management and business in the Asia-Pacific region. Emphasis is on rigour and relevance, on theory and practice, in a globalised scholarly environment.