Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century
Year: 2025
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A New Perspective on Work Life Balance: The Relationship between Work Life Balance and Innovation
Prof. Fatma Ayanoglu, Prof. Dr. Deniz Herand
ABSTRACT:
Having a healthy work-life balance means employees are happier when they come to work. This helps to reduce stress and the likelihood of burnout, two common health problems in the workplace.Innovation is one of the most important strategic forces of our time. In companies that innovate, added value increases, intellectual capital value increases, and positive differences are created at a high rate compared to competitors. Therefore, companies that cannot innovate today jeopardize their ability to maintain competitive advantage and their sustainability. Therefore, one of the main goals of companies is to carry out innovative work. There are many factors that affect the individuals who realize innovation within the company. There are also some studies in the literature on the subject. However, the point we draw attention to here is that individuals with work-life balance and good mental health and low burnout contribute to innovative developments within the company by using their brain power. In this context, the research sample aims to measure whether work-life balance affects innovation in companies that are considered to have a good work-life balance. Based on this, a globally operating company whose main products and field of activity is the food sector was selected. The research was applied to a sample group including especially white-collar and headquarters employees of the company. A total of 270 people were included in the study. Within the group included in the research, there are individuals from different hierarchical levels such as managers, presidents, managers, specialists and middle managers. The work life balance scale consists of 18 questions. The findings obtained from the research were analyzed using SPSS 27.00 program. Independent sample t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Man Withney and One Way ANOVA tests were used to compare quantitative data. Research findings revealed important results in the relationship between work-life balance and innovation.
Keywords: Work Life Balance, Innovation, Positive Differences