Relational and managerial dynamics of family–work balance among sales professionals

Gounaris, Spiros and Almoraish, Ahmed (2026) Relational and managerial dynamics of family–work balance among sales professionals. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 37 (9). pp. 1654-1693. ISSN 0958-5192 (https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2026.2704082)

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Abstract

This study examines Family–Work Balance (FWB) as a relational and context-dependent perception emerging from the alignment, or misalignment, between employees’ personal circumstances and the managerial and organizational conditions within which they work. Drawing on Vocational Fit Theory and relational management perspectives, the study extends existing work–family research by exploring how personal dispositions, managerial practices, and organizational conditions jointly shape employees’ perceptions of balance in a performance-driven context. The study adopts a qualitative-dominant mixed-method design, combining semi-structured interviews with fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Drawing on data from nineteen UK sales professionals, the qualitative analysis identifies multiple dimensions through which participants understand and evaluate Family–Work Balance, alongside the personal and organizational conditions associated with balance and imbalance. The configurational analysis reveals multiple pathways to balance-related outcomes, demonstrating that similar perceptions of balance may emerge through different combinations of personal circumstances, managerial practices, and organizational conditions. The findings suggest that Family–Work Balance is best understood as a relational and context-dependent perception rather than solely an individual accomplishment. The study highlights the importance of alignment between employees’ personal circumstances and the managerial and organizational environments within which they work, while also illustrating the configurational complexity through which balance-related outcomes emerge. By combining relational and configurational perspectives within the sales context, the study provides additional insight into how Family–Work Balance is experienced and sustained in contemporary work settings.

ORCID iDs

Gounaris, Spiros ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1328-8512

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• Item metadata

  Item type:	Article
  ID code:	96873
  Dates:	Date Event 2026 Published 21 July 2026 Published Online 10 July 2026 Accepted
  Subjects:	Social Sciences > Commerce > Business
  Department:	Strathclyde Business School > Marketing
  Depositing user:	Pure Administrator
  Date deposited:	24 Jul 2026 11:03
  Last modified:	30 Aug 2026 00:09
  URI:	https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/96873