Boundary management in a boundaryless world

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of flexible and permeable boundary management with both life domain conflict and life domain enrichment among expatriate workers. Design/methodology/approach - This study utilizes a sample of 199 expatriates working in a higher education context, and analyses survey data with hierarchical regression analysis and cluster analysis. Findings - Relationships between the permeability and the flexibility of life domains, and work-private life conflict, private life-work conflict, and work-private life enrichment were found. However, no significant results were obtained for the relationship between boundary management and private life-work enrichment. Two clusters of boundary management used by expatriates are described. Research limitations/implications - Due to cross-sectional data, causal influences cannot be determined with confidence. Practical implications - The findings underscore the need to consider the role-related stakeholders of expatriates, especially in the private life domain. Implications for the support of expatriates based on the boundary management clusters are discussed. Originality/value - This is the first study analysing boundary management distinguishing between flexibility and permeability in an expatriate context.