Reviewing Gaps in Work-Life Research and Prospecting Conceptual Advancement.

Abstract

Within various organisational, behavioural and management studies, work-life balance is still a discursive subject. Focal themes and implications of most research findings on this social concept often discloses the need for working adults to consolidate efforts in finding the right balance between their work and non-work roles while organisations are scrutinised on implementing a variety of work-life practices and policies that can foster workplace well-being. However, gaps in accentuating its meaning, the dominance of role conflict realities and continuous emphasis on negative work-life outcomes still proliferates studies of this nature. Thus, the modest ambition of this paper is to assess trends in research evidencing gaps in work-life literature and what prospects are available to overcome such hiatus in work-life theory, practice and policy development. This review concludes by stimulating scholarly minds on potential collaborative solutions and proactive changes that human resource managers and employees’ alike can capitalise on for a more sustainable and fulfilling enactment of a win-win work-life situation.