Work-Life Balance Policies and Traditional Culture in a Competitive Market: Three Case Studies of Jordanian Telecommunication Companies
Abstract
Available studies on culturally-contextualized work-life balance (WLB) programs in Jordan are scarce. The present qualitative study of the understanding of WLB) benefits offered in three Jordanian telecommunication companies, adds to this literature, based on interviews with 15 senior managers. The research is grounded within the theoretical perspective of Critical Realism, a useful approach to the study of organisations. The study identified three distinct types of WLB: social and cultural practices; financial practices; and leave arrangements. In comparison with developed countries, social practices such as time for prayers, Hajj (pilgrimage) leave, and concessions in hours worked during the fasting month of Ramadan reflected the culture and religion of Jordan as an Arabic, Islamic country. WLB benefits were also to current levels of economic development in Jordan. Senior managers’ reasons for accepting or initiating WLB practices included level of competition in the labour market, existing government regulations, social and culture norms of society, and pressures (including market pressures) relating to women in the workforce. Financial practices were linked to a competitive market, reflecting the need to retain well-qualified staff. These financial benefits including subsidized childcare, paid study leave, and family health insurance, and were reported to have the strongest positive impact on organisational morale and staff retention. We argue that successful international investors should recognize, co-operate with local norms, values and practices underlying WLB provision.
Keywords: Work-Life-Balance, Jordan, Qualitative Research, Critical Realism, Arab Culture, Telecommunications.
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