Browsing by Author "Adekoya, Olatunji"

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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Work-Life Balance of Working Mothers: Evidence from Nigerian Academics
(Personnel Review - Emerald Publishing Limited, 2022-03) Akanji, Babatunde; Mordi, Chima; Ajonbadi, Hakeem; Adekoya, Olatunji
Purpose – Given the limiting gender role conditions arising from the prevalence of patriarchy in Nigeria and the shift to workers staying at home due to the deadly spread of COVID-19, this article explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work-life balance of professional mothers using the work-home resources model as a conceptual lens. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative data is based on telephone interviews with 28 married female university academics with children. Findings – Our findings reveal that the confinement policies enforced due to the need to combat the spread of COVID-19 and patriarchal norms deeply embedded in the Nigerian culture have exacerbated stress among women, who have needed to perform significantly more housework and childcare demands alongside working remotely than they did prior to the pandemic. The thematic analysis showed a loss of personal resources (e.g. time, energy, and income) resulting in career stagnation, health concerns, and increased male chauvinism due to the abrupt and drastic changes shaping the ‘new normal’ lifestyle. Research limitations/implications – The study relies on a limited qualitative sample size, which makes the generalisation of findings difficult. However, the study contributes to the emerging global discourse on the profound negative consequences of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of millions, with a focus on the stress and work-family challenges confronting women in a society that is not particularly egalitarian – unlike western cultures. Originality/value – The article provides valuable insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected professional working mothers in the Sub-Saharan African context, where literature is scarce.
The judiciary and family-friendly policies: an institutional analysis of work-life balance challenges facing Ghanaian judges
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2025-05-16) Mordi, Chima; Akanji, Babatunde; Ajonbadi, Hakeem; Adekoya, Olatunji; Afari-Mensah, Grace
Purpose Relying on institutional theory, this study explores work-life balance challenges facing judges as a result of institutional factors that determine accessibility to family-friendly policies in the Ghanaian judiciary. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative design using thematic analysis is employed herein in order to analyse the primary data retrieved from 26 judges using semi-structured interviews. Thus, this paper is among the first to focus on the work-life balance realities of judges in a Sub-Saharan African context, where literature is scarce. Findings Considering the definitions ascribed to institutionalised conceptualization of work-life balance, our initial overall findings revealed challenges in attaining it. Further results revealed three key themes: inflexible work design, concerns related to one’s career stage, and patriarchy. These factors all constrain judges from effectively utilising available family-friendly policies that could potentially alleviate their work-life conflicts. Research limitations/implications The extent to which the findings can be generalised is constrained by the limited sample size. However, the aim of the study was to unpack how institutional rituals, norms, and routines form authoritative guidelines shaping judges’ perceptions of institutional practices that constrain the take-up of work-life balance policies. Originality/value The study contributes to extant research by showing nuanced experiences of judges – a workgroup conventionally ignored in work-life balance studies.