Original Articles

A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Work—Life Balance Over the Life Course: A Case Study of Retail Managers

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 22 , issue 2 , 2012 , pages: 227–232

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2012.10820521

Author(s): Shaida Bobat University of KwaZulu-Natal, , Nosipho Mshololo University of KwaZulu-Natal, , Shanya Reuben University of KwaZulu-Natal,

Keywords: women , work life balance , retail sector , South Africa , qualitative research , thematic analysis

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Abstract

This study examined women's work—life balance (WLB) over the life course in retail management. Ten women (mean age =25) who worked in the centre management of a shopping mall were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed that they perceived their WLB to be influences by five aspects: (a) the integration of work and life roles (b) the career as a learning process which is personally meaningful, (c) the retail industry and people dynamics (d) the value of time and (f) perceived autonomy among options for work and life development. The findings suggest that WLB within retail is perceived as a subjective, continuous experience which changes over time.

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