title: Work-family Conflict: A Study of Chinese Immigrants in New Zealand

authors: Shang, Sudong

subjects: work-family conflict

abstract: This study of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand arose in response to the growing ethnic diversity in the labour force. The research investigated the work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand. Only sparse attention within the work-family literature has been given to immigrants’ work-family experiences. However, the Chinese ethnic group is fast growing and a critical part of the current and future labour market in New Zealand. Therefore, the antecedents, consequences, and coping strategies of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand require attention. Furthermore, the majority of work-family studies assume that individuals function within a single culture, and overlook the impact of acculturation, which refers to the process of immigrants adapting to a new culture. The present research included acculturation as a major contributor to the work-family nexus. 
       This study makes an original contribution to the work-family literature by broadening our comprehension of work-family experiences among immigrant populations. First, the research investigated the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict experienced by Chinese immigrants. Second, the potential role of acculturation in work-family experience among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand was also explored. Third, this research also investigated strategies used by individuals for coping with work-family conflict. 
       The thesis was designed and conducted through four separate studies, which are presented in four research articles designed to examine the above issues, and aimed to describe work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants. Each is a peer reviewed publication, and has been accepted, resubmitted, or under-review in peer reviewed journals or premium conferences. 
       Study 1 examined the antecedents of work-family conflict, and the mediation effects of work-family conflict on well-being among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation (cross-sectional analysis, n=557), using structural equation modelling to test mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study provided some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures could exert influences on the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants. 
Study 2 investigated the mechanisms linking acculturation, work-family conflict and subjective well-being (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test two rival mediation models. The results suggested that subjective well-being mediated the effect of acculturation on work-family conflict, while acculturation did not directly influence work-family conflict. 
       Study 3 examined the mediation effects of work interference with family (one direction of work-family conflict) between interpersonal conflict at work and well-being, as well as the moderation effects of acculturation (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test both mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study found that interpersonal conflict at work was a significant strain-based predictor of work interference with family, and strain-based work interference with family had more effects on well-being than did time-based work interference with family. In addition, visible artefact acculturation had little moderation effect on these relationships. 
       Study 4 was a qualitative study exploring the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. Participants (33) were selected from the Study 2 and those who got the lowest 10% and the highest 10% of scores on the work-family Conflict Scales were selected for inclusion. The selection was designed in order to compare responses from the two extreme groups (high and low work-family conflict). This study found that most Chinese immigrants had a low level of value acculturation, and strongly held their traditional Chinese cultural values, which largely affected their coping strategies and the antecedents of work-family conflict. 
Overall, this thesis develops and extends previous research on work-family conflict by providing a broader understanding of complex work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants, such as the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. This broadened understanding paves the way for future work-family research among immigrant populations to continue to explore the role of value acculturation in their work-family experiences. The thesis also provides some practical recommendations for Chinese immigrants in aiming to balance their work and family demands, and for organizations to develop family-friendly policies to support immigrant workers, as well as for government to enact cultural awareness training to ensure their successful cultural adaptation.

text: Work-family Conflict: A Study of Chinese Immigrants in New Zealand This study of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand arose in response to the growing ethnic diversity in the labour force. The research investigated the work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand. Only sparse attention within the work-family literature has been given to immigrants’ work-family experiences. However, the Chinese ethnic group is fast growing and a critical part of the current and future labour market in New Zealand. Therefore, the antecedents, consequences, and coping strategies of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand require attention. Furthermore, the majority of work-family studies assume that individuals function within a single culture, and overlook the impact of acculturation, which refers to the process of immigrants adapting to a new culture. The present research included acculturation as a major contributor to the work-family nexus. 
       This study makes an original contribution to the work-family literature by broadening our comprehension of work-family experiences among immigrant populations. First, the research investigated the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict experienced by Chinese immigrants. Second, the potential role of acculturation in work-family experience among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand was also explored. Third, this research also investigated strategies used by individuals for coping with work-family conflict. 
       The thesis was designed and conducted through four separate studies, which are presented in four research articles designed to examine the above issues, and aimed to describe work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants. Each is a peer reviewed publication, and has been accepted, resubmitted, or under-review in peer reviewed journals or premium conferences. 
       Study 1 examined the antecedents of work-family conflict, and the mediation effects of work-family conflict on well-being among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation (cross-sectional analysis, n=557), using structural equation modelling to test mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study provided some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures could exert influences on the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants. 
Study 2 investigated the mechanisms linking acculturation, work-family conflict and subjective well-being (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test two rival mediation models. The results suggested that subjective well-being mediated the effect of acculturation on work-family conflict, while acculturation did not directly influence work-family conflict. 
       Study 3 examined the mediation effects of work interference with family (one direction of work-family conflict) between interpersonal conflict at work and well-being, as well as the moderation effects of acculturation (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test both mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study found that interpersonal conflict at work was a significant strain-based predictor of work interference with family, and strain-based work interference with family had more effects on well-being than did time-based work interference with family. In addition, visible artefact acculturation had little moderation effect on these relationships. 
       Study 4 was a qualitative study exploring the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. Participants (33) were selected from the Study 2 and those who got the lowest 10% and the highest 10% of scores on the work-family Conflict Scales were selected for inclusion. The selection was designed in order to compare responses from the two extreme groups (high and low work-family conflict). This study found that most Chinese immigrants had a low level of value acculturation, and strongly held their traditional Chinese cultural values, which largely affected their coping strategies and the antecedents of work-family conflict. 
Overall, this thesis develops and extends previous research on work-family conflict by providing a broader understanding of complex work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants, such as the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. This broadened understanding paves the way for future work-family research among immigrant populations to continue to explore the role of value acculturation in their work-family experiences. The thesis also provides some practical recommendations for Chinese immigrants in aiming to balance their work and family demands, and for organizations to develop family-friendly policies to support immigrant workers, as well as for government to enact cultural awareness training to ensure their successful cultural adaptation.

year: 2017

title: Miners’ working lives in general and at Te Aroha in particular

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: The prospects of obtaining prosperity tempted miners to work for years in harsh conditions and often for little reward. Miners had a good reputation for being hard workers and, especially in the early days before companies controlled the fields, for being rugged individualists, restlessly rushing to new discoveries and improvident whenever they had any money. Quartz miners, unlike alluvial ones, were more likely to be settled, living with their families in mining settlements. 
Many quartz miners did not follow this occupation for all of their lives. Examples are given of amateurs seeking riches but not really knowing how to mine profitably. In Hauraki, miners had to cope with heavy bush and rugged topography, with all the dangers this implied. Working underground required a range of skills, and was intrinsically dangerous, unhealthy, and exhausting. Accidents – especially when using explosives – could be fatal. Money to assist injured miners was raised by their mates in pre-social security days.. Miners had to cope with wet mines, acidic water, gas, and even heat, all of which could be mitigated but not avoided; to minimize the number of accidents, good timbering was insisted upon by mining inspectors. All miners had to endure monotonous work, enlivened by practical jokes.
Miners reliant on their own efforts rather than being on a company payroll often struggled financially. Some tributed in mines owned by others, a system open to exploitation by both sides. Increasingly, owners preferred contractors to wage workers, and some of the more skilled workers preferred contracts, including taking up non-mining contracts when mining was in recession. Partnerships were common in small mines, but as some partners did not abide by the terms of the contract, did not keep adequate records, or adhere to mining regulations, resort to the warden’s court was common to settle disputes. Despite such conflicts, there was a solidarity amongst miners because of the conditions of their work.
Mining was not for everyone, as some quickly discovered after experiencing the dangerous conditions. And as companies took over, much of the ‘romance’ of mining faded.

text: Miners’ working lives in general and at Te Aroha in particular The prospects of obtaining prosperity tempted miners to work for years in harsh conditions and often for little reward. Miners had a good reputation for being hard workers and, especially in the early days before companies controlled the fields, for being rugged individualists, restlessly rushing to new discoveries and improvident whenever they had any money. Quartz miners, unlike alluvial ones, were more likely to be settled, living with their families in mining settlements. 
Many quartz miners did not follow this occupation for all of their lives. Examples are given of amateurs seeking riches but not really knowing how to mine profitably. In Hauraki, miners had to cope with heavy bush and rugged topography, with all the dangers this implied. Working underground required a range of skills, and was intrinsically dangerous, unhealthy, and exhausting. Accidents – especially when using explosives – could be fatal. Money to assist injured miners was raised by their mates in pre-social security days.. Miners had to cope with wet mines, acidic water, gas, and even heat, all of which could be mitigated but not avoided; to minimize the number of accidents, good timbering was insisted upon by mining inspectors. All miners had to endure monotonous work, enlivened by practical jokes.
Miners reliant on their own efforts rather than being on a company payroll often struggled financially. Some tributed in mines owned by others, a system open to exploitation by both sides. Increasingly, owners preferred contractors to wage workers, and some of the more skilled workers preferred contracts, including taking up non-mining contracts when mining was in recession. Partnerships were common in small mines, but as some partners did not abide by the terms of the contract, did not keep adequate records, or adhere to mining regulations, resort to the warden’s court was common to settle disputes. Despite such conflicts, there was a solidarity amongst miners because of the conditions of their work.
Mining was not for everyone, as some quickly discovered after experiencing the dangerous conditions. And as companies took over, much of the ‘romance’ of mining faded.

year: 2016

title: Whakatautika: Generating balance in the business and activity of fishing at Moana New Zealand - A case study on Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa

authors: Mika, Jason

abstract: This report sets out the results of a case study on Moana New Zealand, an iwi (tribal) owned fishing company formed out of the Treaty of Waitangi fisheries settlement and a whānau (family) owned inshore fishing enterprise known as The Rawlinson Group (TRG). The research is part of an Indigenising the blue economy project funded by Ngā Moana Whakauka Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. This case study draws on the knowledge and experience of Moana New Zealand and TRG to understand relationships between iwi and whānau scale enterprises in the Māori marine economy (MME). TRG is a Māori-owned family inshore fishing business which has been operating for 30 years. As first-generation fishers, the Rawlinson whānau have prioritised both strategic and family decisions that have established their business and assured their role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s commercial fishing industry. The case study sought to learn how Māori marine-based enterprises apply mātauranga Māori to achieve multidimensional wellbeing, human potential, and relational balance with Tangaroa.

text: Whakatautika: Generating balance in the business and activity of fishing at Moana New Zealand - A case study on Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa This report sets out the results of a case study on Moana New Zealand, an iwi (tribal) owned fishing company formed out of the Treaty of Waitangi fisheries settlement and a whānau (family) owned inshore fishing enterprise known as The Rawlinson Group (TRG). The research is part of an Indigenising the blue economy project funded by Ngā Moana Whakauka Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. This case study draws on the knowledge and experience of Moana New Zealand and TRG to understand relationships between iwi and whānau scale enterprises in the Māori marine economy (MME). TRG is a Māori-owned family inshore fishing business which has been operating for 30 years. As first-generation fishers, the Rawlinson whānau have prioritised both strategic and family decisions that have established their business and assured their role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s commercial fishing industry. The case study sought to learn how Māori marine-based enterprises apply mātauranga Māori to achieve multidimensional wellbeing, human potential, and relational balance with Tangaroa.

year: 2024