WORK–FAMILY CULTURE IN FOUR ORGANIZATIONS IN FINLAND

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine work–family culture in four organizations in Finland (n=1,114). Specifically, we attempted to clarify whether perceived work–family culture would vary according to gender, economic sector and type of organization. Furthermore, we investigated whether these perceptions would be related to employee self-reported well-being. The study data were gathered during 2001 by a questionnaire filled in by personnel from four different organizations, i.e. a municipal social and healthcare department (n=496), a municipal education department (n=232), a paper mill (n=183) and an IT organization (n=199). The first two organizations represented the public sector and the latter two the private sector in the Finnish economy. The results showed, first, that work–family culture was assessed more positively within the public sector organizations than in the private sector. Second, the work–family culture was experienced least positively in the paper mill and most positively in the municipal education department. Third, there were also variations between same-sector organizations, i.e. the paper mill and the IT organization. Finally, it emerged that poorer perceptions of work–family culture were related to decreased work–family balance, job satisfaction and positive job-related mood experiences.

L'objectif principal de cette étude était d'examiner la culture en matière de famille de travail dans quatre organisations en Finlande (n=1,114). Nous avons plus spécifiquement cherché à savoir si la perception de la culture en matière de famille de travail variait selon le sexe, le secteur économique et le type d'organisation. Nous avons également cherché à savoir si cette perception était liée au bien-être tel que le disait ressentir chaque employé. Les données d’étude ont été recueillies en 2001 grâce un questionnaire complété par le personnel de quatre organisations différentes: une direction municipale d'affaires sanitaires et sociales (n=496), une direction municipale du secteur de l’éducation et de la formation (n=232), une usine à papier (n=183), et une organisation du secteur des TIC (n=199). Les deux premiers organismes représentaient le secteur public, les deux autres organisations, le secteur privé de l’économie finlandaise. Les résultats montrent tout d'abord que la culture en matière de famille de travail a été jugée plus positive dans les organismes de secteur public que dans le secteur privé. En second lieu, la culture en matière de famille de travail a été ressentie de la façon la moins positive dans l'usine à papier et de la façon plus positive dans la direction municipale du secteur de l’éducation et de la formation. Troisièmement, des variations apparaissent également entre les organisations d'un même secteur, à savoir entre l'usine à papier et l'organisation du secteur des TIC. En conclusion, il apparait qu'une perception appauvrie de la culture en matière de famille de travail est liée à une diminution de l’équilibre dans la famille de travail, à la satisfaction professionnelle et à des expériences d'humeur positives en liaison avec le travail occupé.

Keywords:

• work–family culture
• sector
• organization
• gender
• well-being
• culture en matière de famille de travail
• secteur
• organisation
• genre
• bien-être

The research project ‘Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the PMI Questionnaire: A Pilot Study Across Four Organizations in Finland’ was financially supported by the Finnish Work Environment Fund (grant No. 100106).

Notes

Saija Mauno received her PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in 1999. She currently works as a Senior Assistant in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her main research interests include the work–family interface, organizational culture, occupational well-being and job insecurity. Address: Saija Mauno, University of Jyväskylä, Department of Psychology, PO Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland. [email: [email protected]]

Ulla Kinnunen received her PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in 1989. She currently works as a Senior Researcher, appointed by the Academy of Finland, in the Family Research Unit at the University of Jyväskylä. Her main research interests include the work–family interface, stress and burnout at work, and economic stress in families.

Sari Piitulainen has an MA in Psychology and works as a Researcher in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her main research interests include job stressors and personality factors at work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Saija Mauno

Saija Mauno received her PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in 1999. She currently works as a Senior Assistant in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her main research interests include the work–family interface, organizational culture, occupational well-being and job insecurity. Address: Saija Mauno, University of Jyväskylä, Department of Psychology, PO Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland. [email: [email protected]] Ulla Kinnunen received her PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in 1989. She currently works as a Senior Researcher, appointed by the Academy of Finland, in the Family Research Unit at the University of Jyväskylä. Her main research interests include the work–family interface, stress and burnout at work, and economic stress in families. Sari Piitulainen has an MA in Psychology and works as a Researcher in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her main research interests include job stressors and personality factors at work.