Gen Z: An Emerging Phenomenon

Abstract

This study explains how generations X, Y and Z share similarities and differences in work values and career preferences. The authors attempt to understand the work values and career preferences of Gen Z with a focus on India as the cultural context crucially contributes to generational differences ( Erickson, 2009 , Generational Differences Between India and the US, Harvard Business Review). While researchers portray that the generational values often develop in the formative years ( Strauss & Howe, 1992 ), this article attempts to understand the evolution of Gen Z in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it aligns with or urges change in prominent developmental theories. These findings can form a base for future research and potentially draw implications for organisations, managers, communities and individuals.

A study of cash waqf contribution between millennials of Malaysia and Indonesia

“…The present study focuses on the sustainability of the Islamic charity instrument known as waqf in Muslim millennials. The millennials generation who are born between 1980 and 1995 witness the rapid development of technology and currently are dominating working industry in various types of high and low level of position in an organisation (Mahapatra et al , 2022). The involvement of Y generation in waqf fund charity is vital in order support the continuity of this voluntary donation in a society.…”

Generation Z, sustainability orientation and higher education implications: An ecopedagogical conceptual framework

“…They have an awareness of how their actions influence the environment and hence are best equipped to make eco-conscious and ethical consumption choices to mitigate their impacts on the environment. Gen Zs are more likely than previous generations to search for the truth behind the products they purchase and Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching Vol.6 No.1 ( 2023) make decisions that are in line with their attitudes toward environmental sustainability (Kaplan, 2020;Mahapatra et al, 2022;Sakdiyakorn et al, 2021).…”

“…Therefore, organisations must rethink and reorient toward a more personalised, ethical and authentic way of conducting business (Fromm, 2018;Thangavel et al, 2022). In fact, recent studies (Francis & Hoefel, 2018;Kaplan, 2020;Mahapatra et al, 2022;Sakdiyakorn et al, 2021) have referred to the Gen Zs as the 'True/Truth Gen', wherein their individual values, expressions and belief systems are anchored to one core dimension -the search for truth.…”

“…Moreover, there has been a progressive movement towards an 'environmental imperative', wherein businesses are compelled to proactively demonstrate accountability, ethical responsibility and sustainability-centric innovations to address contemporary socio-environmental concerns (Jain et al, 2021). Recent extant research on the Gen Zs also posits that they are the first true 'digital natives' and are also colloquially known as the TikTok generation, who have evolved in a hyper-connected world, live ubiquitously in a global digital playing field, and typically favour virtual means of communication (Haddouche & Salomone, 2018;Francis & Hoefel, 2018;Mahapatra et al, 2022). Most Gen Zs, now in their mid-20s, are generally well-educated, techsavvy and accustomed to making informed purchasing decisions (Francis & Hoefel, 2018).…”

“…The literature review and discussion in the subsequent sections of the paper support this supposition. Concurrent with the heightened focus on sustainability education, the academic discourse relating to Gen Zs has also increased (Mahapatra et al, 2022;Rickes, 2016). As such, this generational cohort and their sustainability consciousness will be the subject of inquiry in this study.…”