The Mediating Effect of Work–Life Integration on the Relationship Between Hybrid Work Practice and Work Engagement in the Information Technology Industry

Abstract

Post-pandemic, hybrid work arrangements have garnered the interest of researchers. The main aim of the study is to explore the influence of hybrid work practices on work–life integration and work engagement among IT industry employees. The job demands–resources (JD-R) model and self-determination theory (SDT) have been used to derive the conceptual model to explain the hybrid work practices which can be essential for a balance between work and life, and engagement at work. Using a mixed method, this research first quantitatively investigated hybrid work practices, work–life integration and work engagement among 253 IT employees in India. The quantitative findings were supplemented by a qualitative methodology involving interviews of five IT employees. Later, data triangulation was performed to cover IT employees’ different perspectives on hybrid work practices. This research highlights that hybrid work practices constituting conventional workplace, work flexibility, work focus and work communication are positively related to work–life integration and employees’ work engagement. Hybrid work practices play an elemental role in work-related outcomes; however, due to the complex nature of hybrid work mode, longitudinal studies with a larger sample size should be explored.