Do work-life balance measures influence the performance of Spanish listed companies?

Abstract

Purpose: This paper analyses the effect on economic profitability of the adoption of work-life balance practices. Design/Methodology/Approach: Based on a sample of Spanish listed companies during the period 2015-2019, the aim was to contrast the effect of a work-life balance index on economic profitability. Findings: The regression analysis clustered at firm level, shows a positive and significant effect of the index on economic profitability, suggesting that companies' practices to achieve a work-life balance can be a source of motivation for their human resources. Originality/Value: Investigating the consequences of work-life balance practices at company level not at individual level and, performing a longitudinal study as opposed to cross-sectional studies, more frequent in the literature. Adding evidence in a Continental European country, Spain, as opposed to previous studies carried out mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries so like considering the work-life balances actually used by listed firms in the Spanish market.

Keywords

• corporate work-life balance measures, listed companies, performance