Pulled in Too Many Directions: The Causes and Consequences of Work-Work Conflict

Previous research has documented the influence of overwork and inflexible hours on work-life conflict for working professionals. In this paper, we build on this literature and explore the novel theoretical concept of work-work conflict, a form of inter-role conflict analogous to work-life conflict....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociological perspectives 2018-10, Vol.61 (5), p.830-849
Main Authors: Wynn, Alison T., Fassiotto, Magali, Simard, Caroline, Raymond, Jennifer L., Valantine, Hannah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Burnout
Clinical research
Clinical training
College faculty
Conflict
Financial incentives
Incentives
Job satisfaction
Medical sociology
Medicine
Occupational roles
Organizational research
Physicians
Rewards
Role conflict
Satisfaction
Teaching
Work
Work and Occupations
Work life balance
Working hours
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Summary:Previous research has documented the influence of overwork and inflexible hours on work-life conflict for working professionals. In this paper, we build on this literature and explore the novel theoretical concept of work-work conflict, a form of inter-role conflict analogous to work-life conflict. Drawing on 48 in-depth interviews with 42 physicians and survey data of 60 faculty at a prominent west-coast academic medical center, we find that work-work conflict is fueled by institutional structural characteristics. Institutional incentives, the extent of recognition for various work activities, and financial rewards are misaligned, causing physicians to experience competing demands across multiple organizational missions (research, teaching, clinical care, and administration/service). Other industries may face similar conditions leading to work-work conflict. We conclude that work-life interventions are necessary but not sufficient to increase employee satisfaction, and that mechanisms to alleviate work-work conflict must be incorporated in practical solutions to address burnout.
ISSN:0731-1214
1533-8673
DOI:10.1177/0731121418774568