Gender differences in remote work: a study on the boundary management tactics of women and men

Shen, M.; Zamani, E.

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify potential differences in experiences and their causes from a gender-based perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
We use secondary data, and we conduct a thematic analysis, to identify whether and how women and men negotiate differently.

Findings
Despite remote work being considered as creating a level-playing field for both genders, women are still vulnerable to work and life demands, and pre-existing stereotypes become exacerbated. In addition, we show how technology might be used to manage physical and temporal boundaries, through integration or segmentation tactics.

Originality/value
There is a growing body of literature that focuses on work-life conflict among teleworkers. Yet, there is limited research that explores such conflicts from a gender perspective, specifically whether and how different genders manage boundaries between work and life differently.

Citation

Shen, M., & Zamani, E. (2025). Gender differences in remote work: a study on the boundary management tactics of women and men. Information Technology & People, 38(4), 1925–1947. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-06-2023-0547

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 6, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 9, 2024
• Publication Date: May 19, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 8, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2024
• Journal: Information Technology & People
• Print ISSN: 0959-3845
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1925–1947
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-06-2023-0547
• Keywords: remote work; work-home conflict; boundary theory; gender
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2379321