The role of women e-leadership in fostering work-life balance and innovative work behaviour: the moderating role of self-efficacy

Memoona Naseer et al.

Journal of Management Development2026https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd-09-2025-0494article
AJG 1ABDC C
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

Purpose Advanced information technologies are transforming the modern workplace, resulting in positive and innovative outcomes in educational institutions. Growing awareness and exposure to technology and lifestyle changes empower women leaders to move beyond traditional domestic roles and succeed professionally and personally. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of women in electronic leadership (e-leadership) in creating a healthy work-life balance (WLB), which promotes innovative work behaviour (IWB) grounded in the conservation of resource theory (COR). Furthermore, it examines self-efficacy as a potential moderator in the relationship between e-leadership and WLB. Design/methodology/approach This quantitative study used an electronic questionnaire to collect data from female leaders working in private universities in Punjab, Pakistan. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. The research model was validated through partial least squares structural equation modelling, a method of variance-based analysis. Findings The findings of this study show a positive relationship between women's e-leadership, WLB and IWB. WLB acts as a partial mediator between women's e-leadership and IWB relationships. Furthermore, self-efficacy moderates the relationship between women's e-leadership and WLB. Originality/value This study contributes to previous research by providing a more detailed perspective on these relationships, especially concerning women leaders, a significant aspect of achieving gender equality in developing countries. Moreover, this study examines the role of self-efficacy as a moderator between women's e-leadership and WLB, an area with limited evidence. This research contributes to COR theory and provides practical insights for academic leaders, policymakers and educational institutions on cultivating an innovative environment.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd-09-2025-0494

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@article{memoona2026,
  title        = {{The role of women e-leadership in fostering work-life balance and innovative work behaviour: the moderating role of self-efficacy}},
  author       = {Memoona Naseer et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Management Development},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd-09-2025-0494},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.