13_2_30: Experiences, perceptions and expectations of retail employment for Generation Y

Abstract

1 Structured Abstract PurposeThis paper examines Generation Y, potential graduate entrants to UK retailing, in respect of their job experiences, career perceptions and initial employment expectations. Design, methodology, approachUtilising qualitative research methods, an exploratory study was undertaken with 33 students (all of whom fell into the category of Generation Y) from two UK universities. FindingsThe study found that many of the propositions contained within the Generation Y literature were reflected among participants in relation to their future career and lifestyle aspirations. This points to the need for retailers to carefully manage graduate expectations and experiences to ensure commitment to the sector. Research Limitations/implicationsBeing an exploratory study, the results are not genralisable to the wider population. The findings frame a future longitudinal study on the retail careers of Generation Y graduates as they move from the anticipation to the encounter stage of their career development. This will seek to further explore the implications of Generation Y values, including those relating to diversity and equality which were not raised as an issue in this preliminary study. Originality/ValueThe findings of this research contribute to our knowledge of the career aspirations of Generation Y. It indicates to retailers some of the future recruitment and HR practices they might adopt to meet the needs of this generation of employees.

Careers in Hospitality Management: Generation Y's Experiences and Perceptions

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AbstractThis article is founded on Broadbridge, Maxwell and Ogden's (2006a) work on the job experiences and career expectations of Generation Y undergraduates who are soon to embark on their full time careers. The industrial context under examination is the UK hospitality industry where research on management careers has been called for (Lakin and Riley, 1996).

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L’attraction organisationnelle et les valeurs des jeunes : le cas du personnel infirmier en milieu hospitalier

“…Ainsi, règle générale, le travail serait considéré par les jeunes d'aujourd'hui comme un moyen d'accomplissement parmi d'autres et il occuperait chez eux une place moins importante que chez leurs aînés (Sérieyx, 2002 ;Hamel et Gendron, 2004). La famille et les loisirs occuperaient une place équivalente dans la construction de l'identité chez les jeunes, et ceux-ci orienteraient leur vie dans la perspective d'un équilibre entre le travail et la vie privée selon Stellinger (2008) et Broadbridge, Maxwell et Ogden (2007). Ces derniers auteurs ajoutent toutefois que le niveau d'instruction a un effet sur le rapport à l'emploi, notamment en ce que plus il est élevé, plus les jeunes considèrent que le travail apporte un sens à leur vie.…”

Generation Y’s Employment Motivations and Attitudes

“…In this sense, this younger generation is better suited to global climate of the modern workplace. Despite the introduction of Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), Gen Y has propelled a great increase in tertiary education with one in four having a Bachelor Degree and above in 2006 [3]. The great potential of this highly qualified group is curbed by a perception of a short attention span and a need for instant gratification.…”