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Configurations of Boundary Management Practices among Knowledge Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Stefanie C Reissner

    (Newcastle University Business School, UK)

  • Michal Izak

    (University of Roehampton Business School, UK)

  • Donald Hislop

    (University of Aberdeen Business School, UK)

Abstract

While the literature in relation to managing the work-nonwork boundary retains a strong focus on the consistent use of segmenting or integrating boundary management practices, recent studies indicate that individuals’ behaviours are often inconsistent. To add to this emerging strand of research, this article is set in the context of flexible working to examine how knowledge workers use time, space and objects to demarcate the work-nonwork boundary. The analysis identifies three configurations of boundary management practices with differing degrees of inconsistency in the use of time, space and objects. Its contribution is three-fold: (1) it provides an original, systematic exploration of boundary management practices that do not represent consistency; (2) it creates a framework within which differing degrees of inconsistency in people’s boundary management practices can be observed; and (3) it demonstrates new and crucial differences between distinct inconsistent approaches to demarcating the work-nonwork boundary.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefanie C Reissner & Michal Izak & Donald Hislop, 2021. "Configurations of Boundary Management Practices among Knowledge Workers," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(2), pages 296-315, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:35:y:2021:i:2:p:296-315
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017020968375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefanie König & Beate Cesinger, 2015. "Gendered work–family conflict in Germany: do self-employment and flexibility matter?," Post-Print hal-02011121, HAL.
    2. Alan Felstead & Nick Jewson & Sally Walters, 2005. "The shifting locations of work," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 19(2), pages 415-431, June.
    3. Melissa Mazmanian & Wanda J. Orlikowski & JoAnne Yates, 2013. "The Autonomy Paradox: The Implications of Mobile Email Devices for Knowledge Professionals," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(5), pages 1337-1357, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Li Sun & Tao Liu & Weiquan Wang, 2023. "Working from Home in Urban China during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assemblages of Work-Family Interference," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(1), pages 157-175, February.

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