Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The contemporary workplace is characterized by an unprecedented demographic convergence of five generations, presenting both a strategic ecosystem of wisdom and a complex communicative challenge. This review synthesizes research at the intersection of management and organizational behavior to examine how intergenerational dialogue acts as the primary mediator between age diversity and performance. By evaluating the tensions between generational cohort theory and the lifespan perspective, the paper argues that age-based friction is often a communicative construct rather than an immutable trait. The analysis explores the dynamics of dialogue through media richness and communication accommodation theories, highlighting the shift toward asynchronous modalities and evolving professional identities. Findings indicate that intentional dialogue is essential for fostering relational leadership, bidirectional knowledge management, and psychological safety. Furthermore, the review outlines managerial implications for building generational intelligence through communication audits and mixed-age task forces. It concludes by addressing the future role of artificial intelligence and the necessity of global, non-western research perspectives. Ultimately, this article posits that adaptive, inclusive dialogue is the foundational mechanism for transforming generational differences into a source of collective resilience and institutional stability.
Source: Alınteri Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi
Author: Harika Suklun
Institution: Batman University
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Life-span and Life-course Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214937458