An investigation of the work-life interface in Brazil: in search of a culturally relevant model

Work-life studies address an individual’s need to reconcile work and non-work aspects of life. With the increasing demands in both spheres, organizations and governments have responded by developing policies and programs aimed at alleviating conflict and providing support. Despite an increasing trend in cross-cultural work-life studies, the majority of research in this field has focused on Anglo-Saxon countries with a plethora of findings from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. A key issue remains examining whether theories, models and findings are valid in a less comparable setting. The concepts of work-life balance and work-life conflict were constructed within a particular time and context and thus may be culture- and context-specific. It is fundamental to target research at under-sampled regions and to address the importance of cultural context. The proposed study will use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore and conceptualize the work-life interface in Brazil. Thus, it hopes to provide a better understanding of how organizations and the state assist individuals and to illustrate the ramifications of work-life arrangements. Preliminary findings will be available in August 2014, at which time a proposed work-life interface model will be presented.