Conflicts and Strategies in Women’s Experiences with Flexible Work Arrangements: A Grounded Theory Study in South Korea

Abstract: Flexible work arrangements (FWA), which allow for flexibility in the work location, work schedule, and work hours, have received significant research attention. Despite the scholarly efforts in multiple disciplines, previous studies have yielded inconsistent findings especially regarding the beneficial outcomes of FWA (e.g., improved work-life balance and performance). Consequently, scholars advocate for context-based FWA research considering gender norms and diverse work cultures. South Korea exemplifies the significance of national context in FWA research. Despite long-standing government promotion, cultural barriers hindered FWA implementation in Korean organizations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated FWA adoption, offering a unique empirical research opportunity.
This study, using Strauss and Corbin’s (1990) grounded theory methodology, explored FWA experiences among 22 Korean women during the pandemic. The research revealed six categories of FWA experiences: forced FWA, conflict over FWA, work and life situation, resources, dealing with conflict, and staying on a career track. Regarding conflict over FWA, the participants experienced three types of conflict: sustainable versus temporary, inclusive versus exclusive, and autonomy versus control. To deal with the conflict, participants employed multiple psychological and behavioral strategies by considering their work and life contexts and resources. The study discussed contributions in women’s career development, international human resource development (HRD), and theory building in the field of HRD. In addition, the practical implications are provided at three levels: individual, organizational, and national levels. Lastly, future research directions are suggested to address the limitations of this study and expand the findings.
Keywords: flexible work arrangements, Korean women, Grounded Theory