The measurement of work–family culture in Spain and some applications to other economies

Abstract

This investigation adapts the scales assessing work–family culture to consider several characteristics found in Spanish organizations (e.g. extended schedules and a high value attributed to working long hours). Organizational phenomena not included in other scales are integrated into a modified instrument (e.g. managers efforts to inform about the available work–family benefits, being considered more efficient when working many hours). Suggestions on the measurement of these new features in other economies are provided. Two studies are conducted: one to develop the scale and another to validate it. The resulting instrument comprehends three components: managerial support, career consequences and supervisor support.

Keywords:

• extended schedule
• managerial role modelling
• modifying scales
• work–family culture

Acknowledgements

We want to thank Professor Diego Pedregal for his advice in conducting this research and one anonymous reviewer for his/her helpful comments.

Notes

1. The Fourth EWCS was conducted in 2005 and was answered by almost 30,000 European employees. The sample is representative of workers in each of the 31 countries covered.