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28 - Managing Work–Life Effectiveness in a Multinational Firm: An Organizational Case Study

from Part VI - Organizational Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2018

Kristen M. Shockley
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Winny Shen
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Ontario
Ryan C. Johnson
Affiliation:
Ohio University
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Summary

Managing work and family issues has become a popular topic within organizations and the popular press. Employees are asking organizations to enable their work-life effectiveness and organizations are responding with programs, such as flexible work hours and remote work. This chapter begins with a review of key conversations and research occurring within organizations around defining and measuring work-life effectiveness. The authors then discuss the unique challenges that multinational organizations face in providing work-life solutions that will work across cultures, countries, and individuals. Further, they discuss the achievements and setbacks that multinational companies are experiencing and offer a detailed case study into one global work-life program. Based on employee survey data and focus groups, The Kellogg Company created a three-prong work-life initiative focused on manager effectiveness, wellness, and technology. The flexible approach that Kellogg used was well received by employees and effective in improving work-life effectiveness across the multinational organization.
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Chapter
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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