The changing nature of traditional work settings and the emerging virtual work environments in Africa: the experience of Nigerian women

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate work–life balance and job satisfaction in the emerging virtual work environments among women in patriarchal Nigerian society.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected with structured and semi-structured questionnaire from 316 participants who signed up for online affiliate marketing programs in Nigeria. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, while the hypotheses were tested with partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The outcomes indicate insignificant conflict in the interface between remotely working from home and the discharge of family care responsibilities among married Nigerian women. Also, the women derive significant job satisfaction from virtual work settings. Outcomes from the semi-structured interviews indicate that Nigerian women receive more support in indoor household chores than outdoor household chores while performing virtual work duties from home locations with housemaids being the highest source of such support.

Originality/value

This study extends work–life balance literature from the traditional work environments to the emerging virtual work settings in Africa by providing empirical evidence that the emerging virtual work settings do not result in work–family conflict but rather yield significant job satisfaction among Nigerian women.

Citation

Imhanrenialena, B.O., Obi-anike, O.H., Okafor, C.N. and Ike, R.N. (2021), "The changing nature of traditional work settings and the emerging virtual work environments in Africa: the experience of Nigerian women", Gender in Management, Vol. 36 No. 7, pp. 839-857. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-06-2020-0181