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Effect of Work-Family Balance Policy on Job Selection and Social Sustainability: The Case of South Korea

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  • Wang-Jin Yoo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea)

  • Inha Oh

    (Department of Advanced Industry Fusion, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea)

Abstract

South Korea needs to actively implement work-family balance policies to increase both the low employment rate of women and the low total fertility rate. This study analyzes the quantitative benefits that the implementation of work-family balance policies provides to employees and employers. We conducted a choice experiment that asked 633 participants about their stated preferences for a hypothetical company with different work-family balance practices. The analysis was performed by using a hierarchical Bayesian model that considered preference heterogeneity according to the respondents’ characteristics. The results indicate that the availability of parental leave provides benefits equivalent to an increase of 5.80 million won in annual salary and that offering childcare in the workplace has an effect equivalent to an increase of 5.37 million won in annual salary. Further, low-income groups, women, the younger generation, and parents of preschool children are most sensitive to the policy. Finally, small and medium-sized enterprises are less desirable to work for than large companies, but the implementation of work-family balance policies could change this preference.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang-Jin Yoo & Inha Oh, 2017. "Effect of Work-Family Balance Policy on Job Selection and Social Sustainability: The Case of South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:849-:d:99056
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    1. José Aurelio Medina-Garrido & José María Biedma-Ferrer & Jaime Sánchez-Ortiz, 2020. "I Can’t Go to Work Tomorrow! Work-Family Policies, Well-Being and Absenteeism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-22, July.
    2. Man Zhang & Fan Wang & Anupam Kumar Das, 2020. "Work–Family Conflict on Sustainable Creative Performance: Job Crafting as a Mediator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Ana Gálvez & Francisco Tirado & M. Jesús Martínez, 2020. "Work–Life Balance, Organizations and Social Sustainability: Analyzing Female Telework in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Yuqing Geng & Xinying Jiang & Yan Yan & Juan Gao & Jianyi Li, 2024. "Toward sustainability: mechanism between work–family balance and fertility intention with decent work as the mediating role," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Marta Domagalska-Grędys & Michał Niewiadomski & Katarzyna Piecuch, 2025. "Aspects of Support and Types of Work–Life Balance Among Employees from Rural Areas in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.

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