Factors Related to Work Life Balance from Perspective of Japanese Expatriates in Bangkok
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Abstract
The objectives of the study are to examine the perspective on work-life balance of Japanese expatriates in Bangkok as well as the differences in work culture and factors that relate to the work life balance for Japanese expatriates in Bangkok. The samples were selected by convenience sampling and snowball sampling method which represented 15 Japanese expatriates. This study used semi-structure interviews for data collection and employed content analysis thereafter. The result of the study shows that the perspective on work-life balance of Japanese expatriates in Bangkok is relevant to both work life and personal life which go along together. The factors that relate to their work-life balance comprised 3 levels: individual factor, organizational factor, and social factor. Work and family values appear to be significant regarding the differences in work culture between Thai and Japanese people from the Japanese expatriates’ perspectives.
Organizational practices are recommended for enhancing relationship between Thai and Japanese in workplace and designing work life balance policies. Recommendations for Japanese who work or live in Thailand to improve work life balance are mainly openness for learning Thai culture, self-priority in work life balance and adaptation about perspectives to align with Thai people working style.
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