Abstract
Researchers in organizational and management studies have extensively examined how individuals navigate the boundaries between their work and personal lives. While numerous studies have explored various strategies for managing these boundaries, the complexity and subjectivity of these experiences are often overlooked. This paper provides a nuanced understanding of work-nonwork boundaries within professional services firms, based on in-depth interviews and qualitative daily diaries from consultants in UK-based global consulting firms. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Building on boundary theory, which posits that boundaries are mental constructs rather than physical demarcations, this study explores how consultants interpret and construct their work-nonwork boundaries. The findings reveal that consultants in PSFs face unique pressures influencing their boundary management strategies. Although the data were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic, the insights are relevant in the hybrid work era, where blurred boundaries have become more pronounced.
This research contributes to the field by offering a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and emotional dimensions of work-nonwork boundaries. It uncovers coping mechanisms and strategies within the specific context of PSFs, providing insights to inform targeted and effective policies and practices supporting employee well-being.