Are there gender differences in boundary behaviour? A structural invariance analysis on the effects of work centrality, segmentation preferences and boundary enactment on work-life conflict

Orientation: Boundary management behaviours have become critical as hybrid and remote work continue to redefine the modern workplace. However, the influence of gender on the work-life interface remains a subject of significant debate with conflicting empirical evidence. Research purpose: This study tested how work centrality, segmentation preferences and boundary management tactics predict work-life conflict among South African higher education employees, while assessing structural invariance across genders. Motivation for the study: Inconsistent results in existing literature on gendered work-life experiences necessitate more robust methodologies, such as structural invariance analysis, to clarify whether traditional gender role assumptions still hold. Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with N = 521 employees across five institutions, with varying access to flexible work arrangements (49.2% on-site, 39.3% hybrid, 11.5% remote). The study utilised multigroup confirmatory factor analyses to assess measurement and structural invariance across genders. Main findings: Strong work centrality and integration preferences inhibit boundary enactment and increase work-life conflict. Men reported slightly higher work centrality, but structural invariance showed no gender differences in broader boundary behaviours. Practical/managerial implications: Organisational interventions should focus on gender-neutral strategies, such as encouraging work-home segmentation and boundary management, to effectively reduce work-life conflict in knowledge-intensive, flexible work environments. Contribution/value-add: The study demonstrates that the psychological mechanisms underlying boundary behaviour among South African higher education employees are largely gender-invariant, challenging traditional gender role assumptions.