DEFINING WORK–LIFE BALANCE Tom: There have been a number of recent efforts to conceptualise and define work–life balance (Green- haus, Collins & Shaw, 2003; Voydanoff, 2005; Greenhaus & Allen, 2006; Kalliath & Brough, 2008). In your view, what is work–life balance? Steven: Words are not neutral, especially not in the work–family research arena. This is some- thing I have learned from Rona Rapoport and Susan Lewis, two pioneers and leaders of work–family research. Words are powerful sym- bols that can hide (gendered) assumptions. Therefore we need to pay close attention to whether and how we utilise those terms, especial- ly as academics and opinion-makers. I remember we spent many hours at a workshop at the Euro- pean Academy of Management in Stockholm in 227 Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd. Journal of Management & Organization (2008) 14: 227–238. INTERNATIONAL EXPERT COMMENTARY Achieving work–life balance: Current theoretical and practice issues STEVEN AY POELMANS International Centre of Work and Family, IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain in conversation with THOMAS K ALLIATH School of Management, Marketing and International Business, Australian National University, Canberra ACT, Australia and PAULA BROUGH School of Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt QLD, Australia ABSTRACT Professor Steven Poelmans is a leading international expert on the frontiers of work–family research contributing to theoretical and practice advancements. He is the Academic Director of the International Centre of Work and Family (ICWF) at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, which has worked for more than a decade with numerous organisations in Spain, Latin-America, and various countries around the globe to create a family-responsible environment. In this conver- sation, Steven Poelmans responds to questions from Thomas Kalliath and Paula Brough (Guest Editors) on a range of theoretical and practice issues currently facing the field including measure- ment of work–life balance, work–life balance theory, engagement with industry, the role of organi- sational culture and strategic management in influencing work–life balance. Volume 14, Issue 3, July 2008 JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION