摘要
This study examines long work hours and work-life balance in relation to wage level, workaholism, and consumerism in both Korea and Japan. Findings of this study can be summarized as follows. First, the hypothesis that the wages and working hours have positive but differential effects depending on wage level categories are supported. Second, effects of cultural factors, such as workaholism and consumerism, on long work hours, however, are not significant in both countries. Third, for Korean manual workers, the probability of working long hours is high, but the level of time scarcity is low; but the effect of union membership on long work hours is not significant in both Korea and Japan. Fourth, the hypothesis that negative effects of long work hours and time scarcity on satisfaction with work-life balance are supported. These findings suggest that an increase in wage for non-regular workers and a minimum wage are required to reduce working hours. In addition, they also suggest that reducing working hours, overtime work in particular, and wage gap are crucial to raising the level of satisfaction with work-life balance in both Korea and Japan.
