Affiliations: [a] School of Industrial Relations, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| [b] Department of Demography, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Emilie Genin, School of Industrial Relations, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada. Tel.: +1 514 343 6111/Ext.: 31768; Fax.: +1 514 3435764; E-mail: emilie.genin@umontreal.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study investigates the determinants of long working hours from the perspectives of the demand-control model [Karasek, 1979] and social exchange theory [Blau, 1964; Goulder, 1960]. OBJECTIVE: These two theoretical perspectives are tested to understand why individuals work longer (or shorter) hours. METHODS: The hypotheses are tested with a representative sample of 1,604 employed Canadians. RESULTS: In line with Karasek’s model, the results support that high job demands are positively associated with longer work hours. The social exchange perspective would predict a positive association between skill discretion and work hours. This hypothesis was supported for individuals with a higher education degree. Finally, the results support a positive association between active jobs and longer work hours. CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests that job demands and social exchange dynamics need to be considered together in the explanation of longer (or shorter) work hours.
Keywords: Work hours, job demands, skill discretion, job design
