Relational and managerial dynamics of Family–Work Balance among sales professionals

Gounaris, Spiros and Almoraish, Ahmed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4724-9204 2026. Relational and managerial dynamics of Family–Work Balance among sales professionals. The International Journal of Human Resource Management 37 (9) , pp. 1654-1693. 10.1080/09585192.2026.2704082

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Abstract

This study examines Family–Work Balance (FWB) as a relational and context-dependent perception emerging from the alignment, or misalignment, between employees’ personal circumstances and the managerial and organizational conditions within which they work. Drawing on Vocational Fit Theory and relational management perspectives, the study extends existing work–family research by exploring how personal dispositions, managerial practices, and organizational conditions jointly shape employees’ perceptions of balance in a performance-driven context. The study adopts a qualitative-dominant mixed-method design, combining semi-structured interviews with fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Drawing on data from nineteen UK sales professionals, the qualitative analysis identifies multiple dimensions through which participants understand and evaluate Family–Work Balance, alongside the personal and organizational conditions associated with balance and imbalance. The configurational analysis reveals multiple pathways to balance-related outcomes, demonstrating that similar perceptions of balance may emerge through different combinations of personal circumstances, managerial practices, and organizational conditions. The findings suggest that Family–Work Balance is best understood as a relational and context-dependent perception rather than solely an individual accomplishment. The study highlights the importance of alignment between employees’ personal circumstances and the managerial and organizational environments within which they work, while also illustrating the configurational complexity through which balance-related outcomes emerge. By combining relational and configurational perspectives within the sales context, the study provides additional insight into how Family–Work Balance is experienced and sustained in contemporary work settings.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Business (Including Economics)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0958-5192
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 July 2026
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2026 11:56
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188642

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