Impact of Work-life Policies on Organizational Commitment of Female Professionals in the Nigerian Construction Industry: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance.

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between work-life policies (WLP) and organizational commitment (OC) and determine if work-life balance (WLB) mediates in the relationship. The rationale for this research stems from the shift in societal traditional model of work that has made dual-earner households a culture and the significant role of work life balance in influencing organization performance and family well-being. A quantitative research approach was employed to achieve the main objectives of the study by obtaining data from 120 women professionals in the construction industry in Abuja and Minna. The paper presents a conceptual model to formulate hypotheses which were tested using PLS-SEM path analysis. The analysis reveals that WLP have no direct effect on organisational commitment but have an indirect effect on it through WLB. The study concludes that a balance between work and family life of women professional employees will enhance positive organisational commitment, as it strongly mediates the relationship between WLP and OC. However, one of the limitations of this paper is in its cross-sectional design and the authors suggest that future longitudinal studies be conducted to examine the impact of WLB on organisational performance of both men and women in construction. The implication of this study is that it avails managers and employer the opportunity to understand the significance of providing WLP that will enable employees balance their work and family responsibilities as they promote OC.