Running head: A JAPANESE-U.S COMPARISON OF WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT
A Japanese-U.S Comparison of Work-Family Conflict
and Its Effects in the Management of Organizations
Abstract
In this study, work-family conflict in Japan and the United States is compared and contrasted based on culture, traditions, norms, values, and life styles. The paper will focus on the proposal that Japanese employees are frequently expected to use time after work to socialize with colleagues and clients at bars and restaurants into the late hours and it creates a major problem when trying to balance work and family, while American employees experience a different way of conflict, reflecting a system that offers poor choices for both working mothers and fathers. The effects and what actions American and Japanese managers need to take are discussed.
A Japanese-U.S Comparison of Work-Family Conflict and
Its Effects in the Management of Organizations
Work-family conflict has been widely looked at by many researchers and studies have shown that high levels of work-family conflict for many employees are produced when heavy pressures have arisen from the work environment and from the family environment (Greenhaus, Collins & Shaw, 2003; Frone, Russell & Cooper, 1992). Pressures in the work environment include heavily, inflexible work hours, work overload, interpersonal conflict at work, career transitions and unsupportive supervisors. Pressures in the family environment include existence of young children, responsibility for children, interpersonal conflict within the family unit and unsupportive family members.
Additionally, further studies have shown that work-family conflict has negative affects on employees and many individual experience d ...