Unlocking the Work–Life Equation: Critical Analysis of Telework Factors for Optimal Balance in the IT/ITES Sector

Abstract

In the contemporary corporate landscape, the notions of telework, job engagement and work–life balance have emerged as the most compelling concepts. These concepts have been found to significantly enhance employee performance and provide organizations with a strategic competitive edge. Recognizing the relevance of these considerations to the working world, the current study addresses the gap in the literature on telework and work–life balance in the Indian context. The present study makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on flexible work arrangements, including flexible scheduling, family obligations and job commitment. The study aims to fill a gap in the existing literature by exploring the relationship between telework and work–life balance in the Indian context. While some research is available on telework and work–life balance, there is a lack of specific studies focusing on the Indian context. This study recognizes the importance of understanding the unique cultural and organizational factors that may influence telework and work–life balance in India. Also, the information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) industries are well-positioned to maintain their use of telework as a competitive advantage as the globe gets past the pandemic’s initial effects. These industries can strengthen their competitiveness, spur innovation and guarantee long-term success in a global economy driven by digitalization by incorporating remote labour into their fundamental operational plans. IT and ITES businesses have a chance to reimagine the future of work in the post-COVID age by establishing new benchmarks for adaptability, productivity and resilience. This analytical study adopts a cross-sectional time horizon and focuses on individual employees within the IT/ITES sector. The study employed a survey methodology, utilizing a questionnaire developed by the author to collect data. A total of 217 employees participated in the study, with a convenient sampling technique being utilized to ensure a representative sample. The data were then analyzed further with an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study identified telework, work facilitator, working situations and job engagement as significant constructs in predicting work–life balance. Implications for research and practice are discussed. This study provides academics with useful insights for theory formation and verification of telework, work–life balance and job engagement. Four key factors were identified through the utilization of EFA: Telework, work facilitators, working situations and job engagement. The aforementioned factors offer significant insights into the fundamental dimensions that influence the work–life balance within this industry. The present study incorporates diverse work arrangements, such as adaptable working hours and telecommuting alternatives, alongside conducive organizational cultures and policies that prioritize family support. The identification of work facilitators as a distinct factor underscores the significance of organizational support in establishing an environment that empowers workers to effectively harmonize their professional and personal obligations. The present study’s results indicate that gender may not be a decisive factor in shaping telework, work facilitators, working situations or job engagement in the IT/ITES industry, since there is no discernible connection between gender and these variables. Because the study was restricted to the IT/ITES industry, its conclusions might not be easily applied to other industries. Additionally, as the investigation relied on self-reported data, it may have been impacted by biases and a tendency to behave in a way that appears appealing to others. Prospective research endeavours could investigate the relationship between gender and work–life balance components in a variety of contexts and examine additional demographic characteristics that may influence these elements. The study’s findings could potentially provide valuable information for both employers and employees in the IT/ITES sector. Employers may gain insights into the factors that contribute to work–life balance disparities, enabling them to implement policies and practices that support healthier work–life integration for their employees. Employees, on the other hand, may benefit from a better understanding of how their demographic characteristics intersect with work–life balance factors, allowing them to make informed decisions about their career and personal life. This study captures the potential of telework in emerging economies for increasing job engagement. A unique and modern insight into how telework affects the technology space is what makes the work stand out from the static framework in the literature. How telework and its variables affect work–life balance and job engagement of the employees and how the organizations have a positive impact on productivity, is the novel factor in the study.