This document outlines the research questions, working definitions, subquestions, and next steps for a thesis on designing an instrument of time to reduce work-nonwork conflict. The researchable question asks how an instrument of time can incorporate the metaphor of time as a container for meaning. Working definitions explain key terms and concepts. Subquestions explore an individual's relationship between work and nonwork environments and the meaning-based model of work-nonwork conflict. Next steps include questions about how an instrument could allow for multi-modal interactions and complement the metaphor of time as a balancing act.

1. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
NCSU 2011 // MGD THESIS PREP
ALEXANDRIA JARVIS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
DENISE GONZALES CRISP
SCOTT TOWNSEND
MARTHA SCOTFORD

2. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?

3. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
INSTRUMENT OF TIME A tool which marks, measures, or manages time.

4. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
INSTRUMENT OF TIME A tool which marks, measures, or manages time.

5. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
TIME AS A CONTAINER This is a metaphor for time which recognizes time as a finite resource and
FOR MEANING emphasizes the qualitative aspect of time as well as the subjective experience
of time.
TIME AS A This is a metaphor for time, which recognizes time as a finite resource and
BALANCING ACT emphasizes the quantitative aspect of time by focusing on time allotment.

6. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
TIME AS A CONTAINER This is a metaphor for time which recognizes time as a finite resource and
FOR MEANING emphasizes the qualitative aspect of time as well as the subjective experience
of time.
TIME AS A This is a metaphor for time, which recognizes time as a finite resource and
BALANCING ACT emphasizes the quantitative aspect of time by focusing on time allotment.

7. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT Work-Nonwork conflict arises when an individual has difficulty in managing or
attending to their various roles within a work or non-work domain.

8. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S INDIVIDUAL’S RELATIONSHIP TO HIS WORK AND NONWORK ENVIRONMENTS
(CHAMPOUX, 1978)
N E XT STE PS
SELF-CONCEPT
~ ~
= O
≠ R
~
~O
R
≠
=
WORK ENVIRONMENT NONWORK ENVIRONMENT
• Employing Organization • Family
• Job • Church
• Supervision • Community
• Equipment • Clubs
How can an INSTRUMENT OF TIME incorporate the
• Technology • Hobbies
• Co-workers • Other Leisure Activities
• Reward System
metaphor of TIME AS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING
in order to reduce WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT ?
~ ~
= OR ≠
INDIVIDUALS PERCEPTION
WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT Work-Nonwork conflict arises when an individual has difficulty in managing or
attending to their various roles within a work or non-work domain.
Champoux, J. E. 1978. “Perceptions of Work and Nonwork: A Reexamination of the Compensatory and Spillover
Models.” Work and Occupations 5 (4) (November 1): 402-422.

9. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an instrument allow for multi-modal
interactions, in order to aid the negotiation of identity
affirming activities and identity discrepant activities?

10. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
MEANING BASED MODEL OF WORK-NONWORK CONFLICT
(THOMPSON AND BUNDERSON, 2001)
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N O N -A N C H O R D O M A I N T I M E
N E XT STE PS IDENTITY AFFIRMING IDENTITY DISCREPANT
Mutual Enrichment Compensation Conflict
• Positive spillover • Retreat to anchor domain
IDENTITY
(synergy) b/w domains
ANCHOR DOMAIN TIME
AFFIRMING
• Heightened sense of
• Diminished sense of non-anchor time conflict-
time conflict ing with anchor time
How can an instrument allow for multi-modal
Spillover Conflict Mutual Depletion
interactions, in order to aid the negotiation of identity
• General malaise from • Spiraling sense of time
IDENTITYaffirming activities and identity discrepant activities?
anchor domain spills into conflict b/w domains
non-anchor domain
DISCREPANT • Alienation and anomic
• Heightened general
sense of time conflict
Thompson, J A, and J S Bunderson. 2001. “Work-Nonwork
Conflict and the Phenomenology of Time: Beyond the Balance
Metaphor.” Work and Occupations 28 (1): 17-39.

11. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can the qualities and structure of an instrument
compliment or replace the metaphor of
TIME AS A BALANCING ACT ?

12. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
How can an instrument, or aspects of an instrument, be
shared in work and nonwork domains in order to express
a symbolic connection or commitment to others?

13. R E S E A R C H A B L E Q U E ST I O N
WORKING DEFINITIONS
S U B Q U ESTI O N S
N E XT STE PS
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