The knife cuts on both sides: Examining the relationship between cross-domain communication and work-family interface

摘要

Our study aimed to understand how cross-domain communication via technology affects employees' work-family interface. We examine the relationships among cross-domain communication, role-based resource loss and gain, and the bidirectional forms of work-family conflict and enrichment. Building on Conservation of Resources theory, we expect that cross-domain communication has positive effects on role-based resource loss and gain as well as both work-family conflict and enrichment. Furthermore, we suggest that the relationships between cross-domain communication and role-based resource loss and gain vary across different levels of role response expectations and role relationship quality. We test our ideas with data from two studies. Results confirm the role of cross-domain communication on work-family conflict and enrichment through role-based resource loss and gain. We also find significant interactions involving cross-domain communication, role response expectations, and role relationship quality on both work- and family-based resource loss and gain as well as on the mediating effects of family-based resource loss. Practitioner points