THE IMPACT OF FREQUENT BUSINESS TRAVEL ON THE FAMILY

Abstract

As Singapore embarks on regionalisation as driven by both the State and market, there has been an emergence and rapid growth of frequent business travellers based in Singapore. The limited literature from secondary resources suggested frequent parental absence accruing from frequent travel to be stressful and detrimental to the family's well-being. Thus, this study is interested in exploring the orientations and stresses of family members towards frequent parental absence with particular reference to the husband/father. As stress necessitates coping, this study would also examine the way family members cope with frequent business travel and the various work-related, family-related and individual variables influencing coping.

Given that families are primary units of society largely responsible for society's well-being, families who fail to cope well with stressful situations such as frequent business travel could lead to serious repercussions on society. As both regionalisation and the family play important parts in the nation's growth, it is pertinent that increased research be conducted to illuminate the complex interplay between frequent travel and the family.