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Is entrepreneurship the answer to achieving work–family balance?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

Jodyanne Kirkwood  and
Beth Tootell
Jodyanne Kirkwood
Affiliation:
Department of Management, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Beth Tootell
Affiliation:
Department of Human Resource Management, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Abstract

Many people (particularly women) see entrepreneurship as a way of achieving a better balance between work and family than that provided by paid employment. Fifty-eight entrepreneurs were interviewed in New Zealand (32 women and 26 men) in order to explore the work-family conflict they face, the techniques they use to achieve work–family balance and the effectiveness of these strategies. Our study finds that women entrepreneurs employ a number of flexible work practices, such as choosing where to work, when to work and with whom to work as well as managing their roles within the family. This study concludes that entrepreneurship may not be a panacea for achieving work–family balance. We offer some suggestions for how entrepreneurs may better achieve work–family balance.

Keywords

work–family balanceentrepreneursgenderwork–family conflictwomen entrepreneursNew Zealand
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , July 2008 , pp. 285 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2008

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