title: Work-family Conflict and Organisational Commitment in Malaysia

authors: Siu, Yen Pin

subjects: Work-family Conflict

abstract: This study examined the relationship between work-family conflict (WFC) and organisational commitment, and considered gender and number of dependents as moderators. Participants were self-defined full time working adults from various work forces in Malaysia and were recruited via email, telephone and social media. The questionnaire was available online (n=93) and in printed forms (n=109) with a final response rate of 72.4%. Two main sections in the questionnaire measured work-family conflict and organisational commitment. Work-family conflict consisted of four measures: strain-based work interfering with family (WIF), time-based work interfering with work, strain-based family interfering with work (FIW) and time-based family interfering with work. Affective commitment and continuance commitment were assessed.	Exploratory factor analysis, correlations and hierarchical regressions were conducted on the variables in this study. Results revealed negative relationships for both strain-based and time-based WIF with affective commitment. In regards to continuance commitment, the relationship was positive for strain-based WIF but not significant for time-based WIF. No relationship was found between strain-based and time-based FIW with affective commitment. The relationships between strain-based and time-based FIW and continuance commitment were positive. Gender moderated the relationship between time-based WIF and affective commitment, whereby the relationship was negative for female employees only. Additionally, the relationship between time-based FIW and affective commitment was negative for male employees. The number of dependents employees had did not moderate any relationships in this study.
Collectivism, the self-concept theory and paternalistic roles present in organisational superiors in Malaysia are among the possible reasons for the relationships found in this study. This study has contributed to gaps in the literatures on work-family conflict and organisational commitment in Malaysia. In terms of practical implications, the results may serve as guidelines in the development of family-friendly policies for Malaysian organisations or multi-national companies (MNC) operating in Eastern cultures.

text: Work-family Conflict and Organisational Commitment in Malaysia This study examined the relationship between work-family conflict (WFC) and organisational commitment, and considered gender and number of dependents as moderators. Participants were self-defined full time working adults from various work forces in Malaysia and were recruited via email, telephone and social media. The questionnaire was available online (n=93) and in printed forms (n=109) with a final response rate of 72.4%. Two main sections in the questionnaire measured work-family conflict and organisational commitment. Work-family conflict consisted of four measures: strain-based work interfering with family (WIF), time-based work interfering with work, strain-based family interfering with work (FIW) and time-based family interfering with work. Affective commitment and continuance commitment were assessed.	Exploratory factor analysis, correlations and hierarchical regressions were conducted on the variables in this study. Results revealed negative relationships for both strain-based and time-based WIF with affective commitment. In regards to continuance commitment, the relationship was positive for strain-based WIF but not significant for time-based WIF. No relationship was found between strain-based and time-based FIW with affective commitment. The relationships between strain-based and time-based FIW and continuance commitment were positive. Gender moderated the relationship between time-based WIF and affective commitment, whereby the relationship was negative for female employees only. Additionally, the relationship between time-based FIW and affective commitment was negative for male employees. The number of dependents employees had did not moderate any relationships in this study.
Collectivism, the self-concept theory and paternalistic roles present in organisational superiors in Malaysia are among the possible reasons for the relationships found in this study. This study has contributed to gaps in the literatures on work-family conflict and organisational commitment in Malaysia. In terms of practical implications, the results may serve as guidelines in the development of family-friendly policies for Malaysian organisations or multi-national companies (MNC) operating in Eastern cultures.

year: 2014

title: Qualifying engagement: A study of information and communication technology and the global social justice movement in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Ganesh, Shiv

subjects: activism

abstract: Scholarly commentary has underscored the importance of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in organizing the Global Social Justice Movement (GSJM). This study examines key communicative assumptions regarding technology and activist participation in the GSJM by asking three research questions: (a) what impacts of ICT-enabled brokerage are evident in the GSJM in Aotearoa New Zealand; (b) how are activists' attitudes embedded in the metaphors they use; and (c) what concerns do activists express about ICTs? Findings suggest strong associations between GSJM activists' conceptualizations of communication and their highly diverse attitudes toward and engagement with ICTs. Contrasts between activists and scholarly discussions of ICTs and the GSJM are highlighted.

text: Qualifying engagement: A study of information and communication technology and the global social justice movement in Aotearoa New Zealand Scholarly commentary has underscored the importance of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in organizing the Global Social Justice Movement (GSJM). This study examines key communicative assumptions regarding technology and activist participation in the GSJM by asking three research questions: (a) what impacts of ICT-enabled brokerage are evident in the GSJM in Aotearoa New Zealand; (b) how are activists' attitudes embedded in the metaphors they use; and (c) what concerns do activists express about ICTs? Findings suggest strong associations between GSJM activists' conceptualizations of communication and their highly diverse attitudes toward and engagement with ICTs. Contrasts between activists and scholarly discussions of ICTs and the GSJM are highlighted.

year: 2010

title: The "false generosity" of treaty settlements: innovation and contortion

authors: Te Aho, Linda

abstract: In Aotearoa New Zealand the ways in which indigenous claims to lands and waters are addressed are often looked to as good, or even best, practice by indigenous peoples around the world. While things are far from perfect, in recent decades Maori have succeeded in changing perceptions about the Treaty of Waitangi as the foundation of the nation, and work steadily continues on settling outstanding Treaty claims. The resulting Treaty of Waitangi settlements are negotiated arrangements which aim to remove a sense of historical grievance and achieve significant rebuilding of the Maori economy. They are seen by some as dynamic and powerful steps towards economic independence, as a means of recognising special relationships to lands and waters, and a necessary prerequisite to improved relationships between the state and the indigenous Maori in the future. ¹ Critics see the settlements and the processes followed to reach them as too heavily weighted in the government's favour. ² They argue that the settlements do not sufficiently compensate for actual losses. They are said to pit Maori against Maori. Diverse claimant groups are effectively forced to negotiate within standardised and fixed parameters. For these and other reasons, the settlement agreements, policies and processes have been labelled as divisive and compromising self-determination. ³

text: The "false generosity" of treaty settlements: innovation and contortion In Aotearoa New Zealand the ways in which indigenous claims to lands and waters are addressed are often looked to as good, or even best, practice by indigenous peoples around the world. While things are far from perfect, in recent decades Maori have succeeded in changing perceptions about the Treaty of Waitangi as the foundation of the nation, and work steadily continues on settling outstanding Treaty claims. The resulting Treaty of Waitangi settlements are negotiated arrangements which aim to remove a sense of historical grievance and achieve significant rebuilding of the Maori economy. They are seen by some as dynamic and powerful steps towards economic independence, as a means of recognising special relationships to lands and waters, and a necessary prerequisite to improved relationships between the state and the indigenous Maori in the future. ¹ Critics see the settlements and the processes followed to reach them as too heavily weighted in the government's favour. ² They argue that the settlements do not sufficiently compensate for actual losses. They are said to pit Maori against Maori. Diverse claimant groups are effectively forced to negotiate within standardised and fixed parameters. For these and other reasons, the settlement agreements, policies and processes have been labelled as divisive and compromising self-determination. ³

year: 2017