The impact of digital communication and Nusantara’s local cultural values (Ugahari) on work-life balance: Does the paradox of technology exist?

Abstract

This study examines how digital communication and the cultural value of Ugahari impact Work-Life Balance (WLB) among middle-level managers in Malaysia. Data from 457 respondents were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results show that digital communication affects WLB by increasing autonomy and job satisfaction. However, paradoxically, it also affects WLB by increasing interference, workload, and job stress due to blurred boundaries between work and personal life. Ugahari, a cultural value promoting balance, suppresses negative effects, particularly interference and job stress, and encourages role segmentation, thereby enhancing job satisfaction. Ugahari mediates the relationship between digital communication and WLB, mitigating negative impacts by limiting work intensity and technology use. The study highlights the importance of cultural values in managing the effects of digital communication on WLB and emphasizes the need to consider the national context in addressing WLB challenges. This research contributes to cross-cultural management literature by introducing Ugahari as a distinctive construct that informs boundary management and role segmentation, particularly in Southeast Asian contexts.