Exploring transitions and work-life balance in the digital era

Scholars in the field of work-life balance (WLB) argue that individuals perform different role identities (e.g. parent, worker) within the different domains (e.g. family, work) of their life; and that these domains are separated by boundaries (Clark, 2000). There is an emerging view in the literature that information and communication technologies (ICTs) may influence both the way these boundaries operate and individuals’ transitions across the different domains of their lives (Perrons, 2003). In this paper we report the preliminary results of a study in which we have explored the individual experience of transitioning, or switching, across role identities and domains in relation to ICTs. These preliminary findings are based on video and interview data with 10 social entrepreneurs. By the end of our research study, we expect to have recruited 45 participants from three different areas of experience, also including students and corporate employees. Our objectives through this study are to (a) improve our understanding around switching across role-identities and domains, and to (b) codesign tools that will help individuals manage their switching process. Following the preliminary analysis, we discuss our forthcoming steps and outline our study’s expected contributions.