Technology Infiltration: Permeable Boundaries and Work-Life Spillover Experiences among Academics in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ajonbadi, Hakeem Adeniyi and Mordi, Chima and Adekoya, Olatunji David (2023) Technology Infiltration: Permeable Boundaries and Work-Life Spillover Experiences among Academics in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Personnel Review. ISSN 0048-3486

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Abstract

Purpose – This study explored the challenges academics faced with work structures during the COVID-19 pandemic and their implications for their work-life balance (WLB).

Design – Relying on the interpretative paradigm and the qualitative research method, the dataset consists of semi-structured interviews with 43 academics in the United Kingdom.

Findings – Our findings indicate that academics in the UK experience issues around increased boundary permeability between work and nonwork domains and role overlap, which engender the transfer of negative rather than positive spillover experiences and exacerbate negative consequences to the well-being of academics. ICTs also reinforced gendered work-family boundaries and generated more negative work-life/family spillover for women than for men.

Practical implications – Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) need to address ICT-related health issues through better work designs and HR initiatives that respond to the health requirements of academics. Policymakers should be futuristic and ensure comprehensive work-life policies for academics, which are necessary for humanising overall organisational well-being.

Originality – Although COVID-19 challenges are common to all workers, the experiences and effects on specific workers (in this case, UK academics) within specific national jurisdictions play out differentially, and they are often experienced with different levels of depth and intensity.

Keywords: ICT, work-life spillover, higher education institutions, academics, United Kingdom.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-10-2022-0693
Dates:
DateEvent
3 July 2023Accepted
28 July 2023Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords: ICT, work-life spillover, higher education institutions, academics, United Kingdom
Subjects: CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-05 - human resource management
Divisions: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > Birmingham City Business School
Depositing User: Hakeem Ajonbadi
Date Deposited: 05 Jul 2023 10:45
Last Modified: 09 Aug 2023 14:57
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14547

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