Document Type : Based on PhD Thesis

Authors

• Morteza Golavar ¹
• Naser Mirsepasi ²
• Niloufar Mirsepasi ³

¹ PhD Student in Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Professor, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Purpose: The two fundamental pillars that affect every person’s life are their work and their personal life. Having a proper balance and alignment between these two factors not only helps a person’s physical and mental health but also improves their quality of life. Every person must be able to establish harmony between the needs and expectations related to these two parts of their life; otherwise, they will face internal conflicts and tensions. A lot of research has been conducted in the field of work-life balance, especially in Western countries, where most of the existing research comes from. However, in Iran, due to its specific cultural and social characteristics, this discussion has become more important in recent years, and Iranian researchers have tried to conduct research in this field. However, most of this research has been based on Western cultural and social patterns. Therefore, the need to design a model based on Islamic teachings to balance work and life in organizations with an Islamic culture is strongly felt. The purpose of this research is to design and validate a model of work-life balance for employees in government organizations, grounded in the Islamic epistemological system.
Design/ methodology/ approach: This research is developmental-applied in purpose and is considered mixed-methods research. In the qualitative step, the valuable texts of Nahj al-Balagha, Nahj al-Fasaha, Mizan al-Hikmah, and Mafatih al-Hayyah were examined, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Also, in the quantitative step, in order to validate the model, the measurement model analysis method within the framework of structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (PLS-SEM) was used. For this purpose, 127 managers and employees in a government organization were surveyed using a researcher-made questionnaire. In this step, the sample size calculation used the Cochran formula, and simple random sampling was used.
Research Findings: For the research model, three general themes, including individual, organizational, and social, nine comprehensive themes, including planning skills, importance of health, responsibility, resilience skills, organizational support, manager support, colleague support, close family support, and support from others, 27 organizing themes, and 93 basic themes were identified. The results of quantitative analyses also confirmed the significance of the relationship between the dimensions and components of the research model. The calculated coefficient of determination for individual, organizational, and social factors are 0.715, 0.639, and 0.506, respectively, which indicates that they are appropriate values.
Limitations & Consequences: Given the nature of qualitative research and its strong influence on the researcher's mindset, the researcher's biases in the present study can be considered one of its limitations. Also, in the quantitative part, using questionnaires as the main data-collection tool, due to common problems such as biased responses and similar errors, can reduce the accuracy of the results.
Practical Consequences: Given that Islamic teachings are considered among the most important sources for understanding and guiding various aspects of life and work, the results of the present study can help address many of the existing challenges faced by employees and organizations regarding work-life balance. By introducing individual, organizational, and social dimensions, this model helps government organizations prevent the negative consequences of failing to observe work-life balance and, at the same time, improve employees' productivity, job satisfaction, and mental health.
Innovation or value of the Article: The innovation of this research is that it identifies and explains the components of work-life balance based on Islamic teachings, an approach that has received less attention in previous research. This indigenous model can help employees and government organizations strike a balance based on Islamic values and, as a result, improve individual and organizational performance.
Paper Type: Original Paper
 

Keywords

• Work-Life Balance
• Public Organizations
• Influencing Factors
• Qualitative Content Analysis
• Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)