The debate surrounding work-life balance has increasingly recognized the need to study the factors influencing lifestyle, or ways of living, within a broader context than has often been the case hitherto. This international collection explores aspects of lifestyle and identity, societal influences on ways of living, the relevance of social networks and geographic communities for lifestyle choices, and the significance of organisational policies and practices for lifestyle outcomes. In so doing, it broadens the focus of current debates and presents recent research findings collected in a range of different national, organizational and community settings. Findings from a variety of research approaches are discussed, ranging from in-depth interviews to analysis of cross-national data. Overall the collection points to the value of exploring the broader contexts within which the relationship between work and non-work lives are located.

The question of work-life balance and the difficulties of managing multiple roles is attracting considerable interest. This international collection broadens the focus of these debates and presents recent research findings that will further stimulate theoretical development and empirical studies. While much previous research has focused on the challenges faced by working mothers, the research presented in this collection introduces perspectives that have not been widely included in previous work in the field, such as the voice of children, the challenges that students face, the role of both employers and unions and how different occupational groups experience work-life balancing strategies.

This international collection explores aspects of lifestyle and identity, societal influences on ways of living, the relevance of social networks and geographic communities for lifestyle choices, and the significance of organisational policies and practices for lifestyle outcomes.