International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

A Systematic Review of Flexible Work Arrangements in China: Development Trends and Socioeconomic Impacts Over the Last Decade

Open access
Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) have increasingly become a key feature of modern work systems, driven by the rapid progression of globalization and information technology. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 25 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024 to examine the development, drivers, and impacts of FWAs in China. The review reveals a widespread adoption of FWAs in various forms, such as flexible core hours and telecommuting. Policy changes, particularly adjustments in maternity leave regulations, have played a crucial role in facilitating this shift. The primary drivers behind adopting FWAs include technological advancements, the diversification of workforce needs, and shifts in organizational strategies. Implementing FWAs is associated with positive outcomes, including enhanced job satisfaction, task performance, creativity, work-family balance, and reduced turnover intentions. This review also identifies cultural nuances in adopting FWAs and offers strategic insights for optimizing their application in China.
Aslan, M. F., Hasikin, K., Yusefi, A., Durdu, A., Sabanci, K., & Azizan, M. M. (2022). Covid-19 isolation control proposal via UAV and UGV for crowded indoor environments: Assistive robots in the shopping malls. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 855994. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.855994
Anand, S., Vidyarthi, P. R., Liden, R. C., & Rousseau, D. M. (2010). Good citizens in poor-quality relationships: Idiosyncratic deals as a substitute for relationship quality. Academy of Management Journal, 53(5), 970-988. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.54533176
Gong, X., Gu, Y., & Gao, W. (2024). The dilemma of implementing flexible working hours for primary and secondary school teachers in the context of the “double reduction” policy and its resolution: A case study of six schools in City B. Teacher Development Research, 8(3), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.19618/j.cnki.issn2096-319x.2024.03.007
Jing, W., Liu, J., Ma, Q., Zhang, S., Li, Y., & Liu, M. (2022). Fertility intentions to have a second or third child under China’s three-child policy: a national cross-sectional study. Human Reproduction, 37(8), 1907-1918. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deac101
Li, H., Ning, X., & Liu, X. (2017). The distribution mechanism of travel time under flexible work systems. Journal of Tongji University (Natural Science Edition), 45(12), 1791-1801.
Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P., Clarke, M., Devereaux, P. J., Kleijnen, J., & Moher, D. (2009). The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), W65-W94.
Liu, D. (2024). The application of flexible work systems in enterprise human resource management. Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database (Full Text Edition) Economic Management, (6), 32-35.
Liu, Y., & Guo, Q. (2023). The impact of flexible work systems on workers' happiness: The mediating effect of job satisfaction. China Personnel Science, (7), 70-81.
Liu, L., & Wang, C. (2022). The impact of flexible work systems on employee deviant innovation behavior: A moderated mediation model. Finance and Economics Forum, (10), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.13762/j.cnki.cjlc.2022.10.006
Lin, Y., Liu, H., & Qi, X. (2019). A study on the mechanism of flexible work in the context of work-family conflict: Based on the work-family boundary theory. Business Economics and Management, (12), 78-87. https://doi.org/10.14134/j.cnki.cn33-1336/f.2019.12.007
Lin, X., Wang, Y., Hao, Y., & Li, H. (2016). A study of the influence mechanism of leader-member exchange on work-family balance: the mediating role of work flexibility and the moderating role of work flexibility willingness. Management Review, 28(2), 138-148. https://doi.org/10.14120/j.cnki.cn11-5057/f.2016.02.013
Liu, C., Qi, Y., & Ding, S. (2022). How does flexible work affect the quality of youth employment in the digital economy?. Macro Quality Research, 10(6), 43-60. https://doi.org/10.13948/j.cnki.hgzlyj.2022.06.004
Ouzzani, M., Hammady, H., Fedorowicz, Z., & Elmagarmid, A. (2016). Rayyan—a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 5, 210. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4
Ren, L., & Yang, S. (2023). Research on the impact of flexible work systems for platform gig workers on employee innovation performance: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Communication University of China (Natural Science Edition), 30(3), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.16196/j.cnki.issn.1673-4793.2023.03.004
Sun, J., Cui, Z., & Song, M. (2022). Research Review and Prospect of Flexible Working System. China Human Resource Development, 37(9), 69-86. https://doi.org/10.16471/j.cnki.11-2822/c.2020.9.005
Sun, K., & Li, M. (2019). An exploration of the widespread application of flexible working systems in China's manufacturing industry in the context of artificial intelligence. Small and Medium Enterprise Management and Technology, (2), 32-33.
Su, X., Chen, S., Li, S., & Yang, Y. (2022). Can flexible work systems reduce employee work pressure? -An empirical study based on CGSS2015. Leadership Science Forum, (4), 92-98. https://doi.org/10.19299/j.cnki.42-1837/C.2022.04.018
Tu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Research on the legal practice path of flexible work systems based on work-life balance. Journal of Nanning Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 42(3), 78-90. https://doi.org/10.16601/j.cnki.issn2096-7349.2021.03.007
Wang, S., Liu, Y., & Shalley, C. E. (2018). Idiosyncratic deals and employee creativity: The mediating role of creative self?efficacy. Human Resource Management, 57(6), 1443-1453. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21917
Wang, H. (2019). The importance of applying flexible work systems in the context of the development of artificial intelligence in emerging service industries. Business Management, (5), 102-105. https://doi.org/10.16517/j.cnki.cn12-1034/f.2019.05.028
Xu, X. (2021). Research on the construction of corporate culture in flexible work systems in feed companies. China Feed, (7), 114-117. https://doi.org/10.15906/j.cnki.cn11-2975/s.20210725
Yang, C. (2021). A study on the relationship between the creativity of scientific researchers and flexible working systems. Price Theory and Practice, (5), 185-188. https://doi.org/10.19851/j.cnki.cn11-1010/f.2021.05.303
Yang, Y., & Wei, M. (2024). Why delayed retirement is implemented: An examination of flexible work systems for older workers. Learning and Practice, (5), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.19624/j.cnki.cn42-1005/c.2024.05.005
Yang, H. (2016). An analysis of the impact of flexible working systems on work-life balance. China Market, (51), 86-87+98. https://doi.org/10.13939/j.cnki.zgsc.2016.51.086
Ye, W., Song, J., Wang, L., & Jin, Q. (2021). The practice of flexible off-peak work mode of nursing teams in the ICU in Hubei Province. China Nursing Management, 21(4), 552-554.
Zhao, X., & Li, M. (2017). A political economy analysis of flexible work systems: Theoretical exploration and impact analysis. Journal of Inner Mongolia Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 46(3), 153-158.
Zhong, R. (2019). How to effectively motivate employees under flexible work systems. All Circles, (14), 85-86.
Zhang, S. (2023). Will flexible work arrangements weaken the leadership of business managers?. Leadership Science, (6), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.19572/j.cnki.ldkx.2023.06.027
Zhu, C., Yan, L., Wang, Y., Ji, S., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, J. (2022). Fertility intention and related factors for having a second or third child among childbearing couples in shanghai, China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 879672. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.879672
Zhu, Y. (2023). On the countermeasures to improve the effectiveness of counselors' heart-to-heart talks in the context of “flexible work system”. Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database (Full Text Edition) Educational Science, (4), 25-28.
Zhou, H., & Ji, Y. (2023). Maternal practices of young female entrepreneurs working flexibly. China Youth Research, (4), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.19633/j.cnki.11-2579/d.2023.0042
Zhou, G., Fang, B., Liu, X., & Li, X. (2024). The application effect of flexible work system combined with nurse management mode in ophthalmology day surgery. China Health Quality Management, 31(5), 46-49. https://doi.org/10.13912/j.cnki.chqm.2024.31.5.11
Zhang, S., Chan, S. L., & Abai, D. S. B. A. (2024). A Systematic Review of Flexible Work Arrangements in China: Development Trends and Socioeconomic Impacts Over the Last Decade. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(11), 983–995.