Conceptualizing Work-Family Balance: Implications for Practice and Research

The problem and the solution. Systematic theorizing about work-family balance has not kept pace with interest, which undermines organizations' abilities to effectively monitor work-family balance and to use work-family balance strategically. The goal of this article is to develop a better conceptual understanding of work-family balance. Work-family balance is defined as accomplishment of role-related expectations that are negotiated and shared between an individual and his or her role-related partners in the work and family domains. This article elaborates on how this definition of work-family balance addresses limitations of previous conceptualizations and describes areas for human resource development research and implications for using work-family balance strategically in management practice.