Examining generational differences in the workplace: Work centrality, narcissism, and their relation to employee work engagement
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In the workplace of today, an unprecedented four generations of workers work side by side. While this blend of generations adds valuable diversity to the workforce, it also adds complexity.\nDespite popular interest in the subject of generations in the workplace, systematic research of the specific generational differences of work centrality, narcissism, and their relation to employee engagement is limited. It is vital to examine the possibility of significant generational differences in order for HRD practitioners and scholars to understand the focus and direction of strategies intended to improve individual and organizational performance. Using a quantitative research methodology, an online survey was conducted with of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Millennial generation employees ages 18 - 69 in small to mid-size organizations from fourteen different industry sectors in Midwestern United States (N=405) .\nThe study did not find statistically significant generational differences regarding work centrality and narcissism among the Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial generations, yet did determine significant generational differences regarding employee engagement among the Baby Boomer and Millennial cohorts.\nTwo noteworthy findings of the study have the most significant implications for HRD: decreasing employee engagement for the Millennial generation and, that work centrality can predict employee engagement. These findings extend the current knowledge regarding work centrality and employee engagement and suggest HRD practitioners and scholars can best manage the different generations by developing and implementing strategies that increase and sustain high levels of work centrality and foster employee engagement to ensure optimum workforce performance.
Author: Judith Lanser Fenzel
Language: English
Subfield: Life-span and Life-course Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W119542794