Who benefits from time-spatial job crafting? The role of boundary characteristics in the relationship between time-spatial job crafting, engagement and performance

Purpose: Using the theoretical framework of job demands-resources and boundary management, the purpose of this paper is to explore the moderating role of work and life boundary characteristics in the relationship between time-spatial job crafting, work engagement and job performance. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 176 employees working in the IT sector and having an opportunity to use flexible work arrangements were surveyed online. Findings: Work and life boundary characteristics were found to moderate the relationship between time-spatial job crafting and work engagement as well as between time-spatial job crafting and job performance. Moreover, boundary characteristics moderated the indirect relationship between time-spatial job crafting and job performance through work engagement. Practical implications: Time-spatial job crafting becomes a key strategy for maintaining work engagement and job performance, when work–life boundaries are less flexible and less permeable. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that boundary characteristics determine the effects of time-spatial job crafting on work engagement and job performance.