Keywords

work–leisure blending, organizational play, gamification, workplace fun, work breaks

Abstract

Since the industrial revolution, work and leisure have largely been considered opposing domains. A growing number of organizations, however, enable and/or promote blending leisure activities into the workplace. Similarly, several conceptualizations across different disciplines examine how work and leisure can coexist. These different conceptualizations have yielded a rich but fragmented theoretical account of work–leisure blending. To address this problem, we provide a comprehensive theoretical integration of multiple literature streams where research has explored work–leisure blending. Further, we develop a tripartite dimensional framework designed to elucidate the central dimensions of work–leisure blending (i.e., segmentation– integration, unstructured–structured, and independent–interactive) undergirding this phenomenon. Using this framework as a theoretical foundation, we then discuss important contextual considerations and future research directions related to work–leisure blending.

Original Publication Citation

Smith. T.A., Butts, M., Courtright, S. H., Duerden, M. D., & Widmer, M. A. (2022) Workleisure blending: An integrative conceptual review and framework to guide future research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(4), 560–580. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000924

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2021

Publisher

Journal of Applied Psychology

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Experience Design and Management

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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