Work-life balance

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1. Background to the study
• 1.2. Objectives of the study
• 1.3. Layout of the study
• 1.4. Usefulness of the study
• 2. Literature Review
• 2.1. Introduction
• 2.2. History of the term Work-life balance
• 2.3. Defining the term Work-life balance
• 2.4. The complexity of Work-life balance
• 2.5. Reasons for the increasing popularity of Work-life balance
• 2.6. Cultural Research on Work-life balance
• 3. Research Methodology
• 3.1. Introduction
• 3.2. Research Objectives
• 3.3. Research Design
• 3.5. Reliability and Validity
• 3.6. Data Analysis
• 4. Findings and Results
• 4.1. Introduction
• 4.2. The results of the U.S. questionnaire
• 4.3. German pilot study
• 5. Analysis
• 5.1. Introduction
• 5.2. Change of society
• 5.3. Demographic changes
• 5.4. Business pressures
• 5.5. Intercultural Work-life balance differences between Germany and the U.S.
• 6. Conclusions and Recommendations
• 6.1. Introduction
• 6.2. Reasons for the popularity
• 6.3. Cultural Differences
• 6.4. Limitations of the study
• 6.5. Future Research and Recommendations

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The main objective of this study is to investigate the increasing popularity of the concept of Work-life balance and to analyze its intercultural differences, specifically focusing on the United States and Germany. The study aims to uncover the driving forces behind the rise of Work-life balance policies and to identify key cultural differences in their implementation and perception.

• The increasing popularity of Work-life balance
• Cultural differences in Work-life balance perspectives
• The influence of globalization and societal changes
• Demographic shifts and their impact on Work-life balance
• Business pressures and employer strategies regarding Work-life balance

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The study begins with an introduction that provides context and outlines the objectives and scope of the research. Chapter 2 delves into a comprehensive literature review, exploring the historical development of the concept of Work-life balance, defining the term, and analyzing its increasing popularity. This chapter also examines cultural research on Work-life balance, laying the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of intercultural differences. Chapter 3 details the research methodology employed, including the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.

The study then presents the findings and results in Chapter 4. This chapter focuses on the results of the U.S. questionnaire and the German pilot study, highlighting key differences in perceptions and practices of Work-life balance between the two countries. Chapter 5 offers an in-depth analysis of these findings, examining the factors contributing to the observed differences, including societal changes, demographic shifts, and business pressures. Finally, Chapter 6 concludes the study by summarizing the key findings, highlighting the importance of cultural sensitivity in the development and implementation of Work-life balance policies, and proposing areas for future research.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study examines the concept of Work-life balance, its increasing popularity, and its intercultural differences. Key areas of focus include globalization, societal changes, demographic shifts, business pressures, cultural research, and the comparison of Work-life balance policies in the United States and Germany. The study also explores the concept of "employer of choice" and the role of family-friendly policies in attracting skilled workers. These keywords encapsulate the central themes and research focus of the study.