The Internet and academics' workload and work-family balance

The aim of this article is to analyse whether the Internet and other ICT technologies support a work-family balance amongst academics. The study is based on 20 in-depth interviews with academics in Iceland and analysed according to the Grounded Theory Approach. This study challenges the notion that the Internet, as part of ICT technology, makes it easier to establish a work-family balance. Although the Internet makes some features of the profession less complicated, like the possibility of working at home, it also initiates a proliferation of the workload, triggers a prolonging of the workday and enhances a demand for extensive availability. Whilst the use of the Internet increases the flexibility of academics, the Internet and work flexibility are found to increase work-family conflict. The findings suggest that the combination of flexibility and Internet use makes it increasingly difficult for academics to disengage themselves from work. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.