Call for Papers

The objective of the 2nd International Conference on Work and Family (ICWF) is to create a forum for building theory for the research related to work and family, with special attention for the cross-cultural dimension and the application of theory in an organizational context.

For each conference track, we will invite one key-note speaker and a selective group of 5 to 10 experts. Scholars have been selected on the basis of previous publications in the field or actual involvement in ongoing collaborative international research projects. This selected group of scholars will meet in small groups with the objective of receiving specific feedback on a manuscript they are preparing. With this purpose, the invitees function simultaneously as presenters and reviewers. In each track, a human resource manager or consultant will actively participate, ensuring the practical relevance of the theory. In addition to special invitations for each field, we will open a call for papers. Only papers in these specific lines of research will be accepted.

The conference is set up to limit the number of participants (a maximum of ten groups of 8 scholars), in order to facilitate close interaction and networking.

The main lines of research of the ICWF are the following:

• POLICIES: Research of (international) family-responsible programs, policies, and practices
  The meso- and macro-level and, more specifically, human resource policies directed at alleviating work-family conflict, changing management efforts to make the company culture more responsive to caretakers, and the impact of macro-level factors (legislation, culture, social policy, labor market) on organizational behavior in terms of the adoption, design, implementation, and allowance of work-family policies.
  
  
• CROSS: International and cross-cultural research of work and family
  The scholars studying cultural differences in work-family experiences among men and women, taking into account country context and cultural setting, to share their theoretical frameworks, hypotheses, explorative and qualitative data, and empirical results. We also encourage participants in collaborative international research projects to reflect on methodological issues.
  
  
• DM: Research on decision-making in a work-family context
  Cognitive research and more specifically, decision-making and cognitive coping processes of managers in their attempt to resolve their own work-family conflicts and those of their employees. Scholars studying processes conducive to or impeding managers' decisions to allow work-family benefits to their employees are also encouraged to participate.
  
  
• EXPAT: The study of expatriates and their families
  Expatriates and employees are a specific segment that is especially vulnerable to work-family conflicts due to their work responsibilities and frequent travelling. An underestimated factor in their success is undoubtedly the wellbeing and adaptation of their families, travelling with them, or being left behind. On the other hand, if the work-family interface is well managed, we can expect instances of work-family conflicts as well as resolutions.
  
  
• COPING: Coping and strategies for creating work-family enrichment
  Conscious strategies individuals and company representatives use to cope with conflict or enhance positive spill over between the two essential life domains: work and family.
  
  
• CAREER: Career development and work-family issues
  Finally, the last track emphasizes career development and work family issues. Scholars studying career development and career success in a work family context are encouraged to participate.

The deadline for submitting proposals is March 24, 2007. We will automatically reject work that does not fit one of the above-specified, six lines of research, so please indicate which line of research your submission corresponds to (POLICIES; CROSS; DM; EXPATS; COPING or CARRER).

Please send your submission in a Word file (30 pages maximum, not including references and tables, font Times New Roman, point 12) by email to: Aline Masuda at amasuda@iese.edu. All authors will receive notification by May 15, 2007.