Direct and indirect effects of work‒family enrichment: role of gender role ideology

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents (i.e. work-family culture and decision latitude) and outcome (innovative workplace behavior (IWB)) of work-family enrichment (WFE). The study also examines the moderated mediation hypothesis between WFE and outcome, considering work-life balance (WLB) as a mediator and gender role ideology (GRI) as the moderator.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected through a questionnaire survey from 426 Indian dual working parents, working in various sectors, through purposive sampling technique.FindingsThe study found that work-family culture and decision latitude are positively related to WFE, which, in turn, results in increased IWB, with WLB acting as its mediator. Further, the study also found a moderating effect of GRI between WFE and WLB relationship; more specifically, the relationship between WFE and balance is stronger for egalitarian employees (high GRI).Research limitations/implicationsUsing self-reported questionnaire data and a cross-sectional research design is the limitation of this study.Originality/valueThe study examines a relatively less focused phenomenon of work-life interface, that is WFE in one of the underrepresented contexts like India; further, the study extends the range of antecedents and outcomes of WFE. Additionally, it contributes to understand the enrichment-balance relationship, whereby it explains the role of GRI in developing a balanced perception.