Share:


Shifting priorities and expectations in the new world of work. Insights from millennials and generation Z

Abstract

In the contemporary world of work and modern business, the well-being of a company is directly linked with the well-being of its employees, and in this context, the proactive promotion of work-life balance has become more important than ever because it meets the new ideal and is an ongoing challenge through the lens of the younger generation’s age groups. By unpacking worklife balance into five drivers, the present paper aims to explore the recent trends, priorities, and expectations of the modern workforce. The target population was represented by two generations of employees, Millennials and Generation Z, and the research hypotheses were tested using structural equation in SmartPLS. The results of this research aim to enhance the current knowledge base, offering a distinct perspective along with significant findings for employers, managers, recruiters, policymakers, and other nodes of control who can gain insights regarding work-related priorities and expectations.

Keyword : employees, companies, workplace, generations, work-life balance, Romania

How to Cite
Trifan, V. A., & Pantea, M. F. (2024). Shifting priorities and expectations in the new world of work. Insights from millennials and generation Z. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 25(5), 1075–1096. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2024.22469
Published in Issue
Nov 5, 2024
Abstract Views
167
PDF Downloads
150
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Allen, T. D., Herst, D. E., Bruck, C. S., & Sutton, M. (2000). Consequences associated with work-to-family conflict: A review and agenda for future research. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5(2), 278–308. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1076-8998.5.2.278

Aloulou, W. J., Amari, A., Ramadani, V., & Alboqami, A. A. N. (2023). Saudi teleworkers and determinant factors of their work-life balance and satisfaction: Testing a sequential mediation model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 188, Article 122312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122312

Bataineh, K. A. (2019). Impact of work-life balance, happiness at work, on employee performance. International Business Research, 12(2), 99–112. https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v12n2p99

Capnary, M. C., Rachmawati, R., & Agung, I. (2018). The influence of flexibility of work to loyalty and employee satisfaction mediated by work life balance to employees with millennial generation background in Indonesia startup companies. Business: Theory and Practice, 19, 217–227. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2018.22

Cuc, L. D., Rad, D., Manațe, D., Szentesi, S. G., Dicu, A., Pantea, M. F., Trifan, V. A., Joldeș, C. S. R., & Bâtcă-Dumitru, G. C. (2023). Representations of the smart green concept and the intention to implement IoT in Romanian real estate development. Sustainability, 15(10), Article 7777. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107777

Dabija, D.-C., Câmpian, V., Pop, A.-R., & Băbuț, R. (2022). Generating loyalty towards fast fashion stores: A cross-generational approach based on store attributes and socioenvironmental responsibility. Oeconomia Copernicana, 13(3), 891–934. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.2022.026

Davidavićiene, V., Rymaniak, J., & Lis, K. (2023). Remote workplaces as a determinant of working conditions in education during COVID-19. Economics and Sociology, 16(1), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2023/16-2/8

de Boer, P., & Bordoloi, P. (2022). Nationality differences in Gen Z work values: An exploratory study. Journal of International Education in Business, 15(2), 373–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-09-2021-0088

Dex, S., & Bond, S. (2005). Measuring work-life balance and its covariates. Work, Employment and Society, 19(3), 627–637. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005055676

Duffy, R. D., Blustein, D. L., Diemer, M. A., & Autin, K. L. (2016). The psychology of working theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000140

Felstead, A., & Henseke, G. (2017). Assessing the growth of remote working and its consequences for effort, well‐being and work‐life balance. New Technology, Work and Employment, 32(3), 195–212. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12097

Goh, E., & Lee, C. (2018). A workforce to be reckoned with: The emerging pivotal Generation Z hospitality workforce. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 73, 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.01.016

Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2021). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage publications. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7

Harrington, B., & Ladge, J. (2009). Work–life integration: Present dynamics and future directions for organizations. Organizational Dynamics, 38(2), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2009.02.003

Henseler, J., & Sarstedt, M. (2013). Goodness-of-fit indices for partial least squares path modeling. Computational Statistics, 28, 565–580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00180-012-0317-1

Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43, 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

Hill, J. E., Grzywacz, J. G., Allen, S., Blanchard, V. L., Matz-Costa, C., Shulkin, S., & Pitt-Catsouphes, M. (2008). Defining and conceptualizing workplace flexibility. Community, Work and Family, 11(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668800802024678

Hossain, M. I., Limon, N., Amin, M. T., & Asheq, A. S. (2018). Work life balance trends: A study on Malaysian GenerationY bankers. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 20(9), 1–9.

Ivasciuc, I. S., Epuran, G., Vuță, D. R., & Tescașiu, B. (2022). Telework implications on work-life balance, productivity, and health of different generations of Romanian employees. Sustainability, 14(23), Article 16108. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316108

Jankelová, N., Joniaková, Z., & Procházková, K. (2022). The way to business competitiveness: the importance of diversity management and teamwork climate in stabilizing of employees. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 23(3), 606–625. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2022.16199

Johari, J., Tan, F. Y., & Zulkarnain, Z. I. T. (2018). Autonomy, workload, work-life balance and job performance among teachers. International Journal of Educational Management, 32(1), 107– 120. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-10-2016-0226

Khallash, S., & Kruse, M. (2012). The future of work and work-life balance 2025. Futures, 44(7), 678–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2012.04.007

Khattak, S. R., Nouman, M., Fayaz, M., Cismaș, L. M., Negruț, L., Negruț, C. V., & Salem, S. (2021). Corporate social responsibility and employee green behavior in the hospitality industry: A cross-country study. Sustainability, 13(19), Article 10534. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910534

Kocman, A., & Weber, G. (2018). Job satisfaction, quality of work life and work motivation in employees with intellectual disability: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12319

Kotera, Y., & Correa Vione, K. (2020). Psychological impacts of the new ways of working (NWW): A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), Article 5080. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145080

Koubova, V., & Buchko, A. A. (2013). Life‐work balance: Emotional intelligence as a crucial component of achieving both personal life and work performance. Management Research Review, 36(7), 700–719. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-05-2012-0115

Kumar, K., & Velmurugan, R. (2018). A study on the work life balance of generation Y information technology (IT) employees in Cochin. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.6), 142–147. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.6.14958

Kumara, J. W. N. T. N., & Fasana, S. F. (2018). Work life conflict and its impact on turnover intention of employees: The mediation role of job satisfaction. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 8(4), 478–484. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.8.4.2018.p7666

Lamovšek, A., Černe, M., Radević, I., & Božič, K. (2022). The key to Work–Life Balance is (enriched) job design? Three-way interaction effects with formalization and adaptive personality characteristics. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 18, 647–676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-022-10100-9

Latham, G. P. (2012). Work motivation: History, theory, research and practice. Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506335520

Maçada, A. C. G., Freitas Junior, J. C. da S., Brinkhues, R. A., & Vasconcellos, S. (2022). Life interrupted, but performance improved: Rethinking the influence of technology-mediated interruptions at work and personal life. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 7(1), Article e0279. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2022.v7i1.279

Mas-Machuca, M., Berbegal-Mirabent, J., & Alegre, I. (2016). Work-life balance and its relationship with organizational pride and job satisfaction. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(2), 586–602. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-09-2014-0272

Mehmood, S., Liang, C., & Gu, D. (2018). Heritage image and attitudes toward a heritage site: Do they really mediate the relationship between user-generated content and travel intentions toward a heritage site?. Sustainability, 10(12), Article 4403. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124403

Meldgin, D. R., Mitchell, G., & Oswald, F. L. (2024). Modeling gender differences in the job promotion process: Replication and extension of Martell et al. (1996). Journal of Applied Psychology, 109(8), 1327–1335. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001179

Muasya, G. (2016). Work–family balance choices of women working in Kenyan universities. Sage Open, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016630772

Nam, T. (2014). Technology use and work-life balance. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 9, 1017-1040. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9283-1

Naz, S., Li, C., Nisar, Q. A., Khan, M. A. S., Ahmad, N., & Anwar, F. (2020). A study in the relationship between supportive work environment and employee retention: role of organizational commitment and person–organization fit as mediators. Sage Open, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020924694

Nurjanah, D., & Indawati, N. (2021). Effect of emotional intelligence on employee engagement and job satisfaction with work-life balance as intervening variables in the generation Z in Surabaya. International Journal of Economics, Management, Business, And Social Science (IJEMBIS), 1(3), 316–328.

Oktosatrio, S. (2018). Investigating the relationship between work-life-balance and motivation of the employees: Evidences from the local government of Jakarta. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8, 205–221. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i2/3866

Ong, H. L. C., & Jeyaraj, S. (2014). Work–life interventions: Differences between work–life balance and work–life harmony and its impact on creativity at work. Sage Open, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014544289

Păunescu, C., Acatrinei, C., Argatu, R., McGuire, S. J. J., & Zhang, Y. (2024a). Employability, proactiveness and workplace behaviors: Is socioeconomic status a mediator?. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 25(1), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2024.20745

Păunescu, C., Onea, A. I., Molnar, E., & Mátyus, E. (2024b). Well-being and behaviour at work: To what extent are they related?. Journal of East European Management Studies, 29(2), 340–362. http://doi.org/10.5771/0949-6181-2024-2

Pelau, C., Ene, I., & Pop, M. I. (2021). The impact of artificial intelligence on consumers’ identity and human skills. Amfiteatru Economic, 23(56), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2021/56/33

Pulevska-Ivanovska, L., Postolov, K., Janeska-Iliev, A., & Magdinceva Sopova, M. (2017). Establishing balance between professional and private life of generation Z. Research in Physical Education, Sport and Health, 6(1), 3–10. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12188/4956

Rachmadini, F., & Riyanto, S. (2020). The impact of work-life balance on employee engagement in generation Z. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 25(5), 62–66.

Rahman, M. F. (2019). Work-life balance as an indicator of job satisfaction among the female bankers in Bangladesh. Work, 11(6), 15–25.

Riyanto, S., Ariyanto, E., & Lukertina, L. (2019). Work life balance and its influence on employee engagement “Y” generation in courier service industry. International Review of Management and Marketing, 9(6), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.8499

Robak, E. (2017). Expectations of generation Y connected with shaping the work-life balance. The case of Poland. Oeconomia Copernicana, 8(4), 569–584. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.v8i4.35

Sánchez-Hernández, M. I., González-López, Ó. R., Buenadicha-Mateos, M., & Tato-Jiménez, J. L. (2019). Work-life balance in great companies and pending issues for engaging new generations at work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), Article 5122. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245122

Sariraei, S. A., Shkoler, O., Giamos, D., Chênevert, D., Vandenberghe, C., Tziner, A., & Vasiliu, C. (2024). From burnout to behavior: the dark side of emotional intelligence on optimal functioning across three managerial levels. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1338691. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1338691

Shaw, S., & Fairhurst, D. (2008). Engaging a new generation of graduates. Education+ Training, 50(5), 366–378. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810889057

Smith, K. T. (2010). Work-life balance perspectives of marketing professionals in generation Y. Services Marketing Quarterly, 31(4), 434–447. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332969.2010.510724

Solnet, D., Baum, T., Robinson, R. N., & Lockstone-Binney, L. (2016). What about the workers? Roles and skills for employees in hotels of the future. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 22(3), 212–226. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766715617403

Susanty, A., & Miradipta, R. (2013). Employee’s job performance: The effect of attitude toward works, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Jurnal Teknik Industri, 15(1), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.9744/jti.15.1.13-24

Tennakoon, W. D. N. S. M., & Senarathne, R. B. C. P. (2020). Investigating the determinants of work-life balance (WLB): Insights from Generation Y employees in Sri Lanka. South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 8(4), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2020/v8i430226

Thompson, C., & Gregory, J. B. (2012). Managing Millennials: A framework for improving attraction, motivation, and retention. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 15(4), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.1080/10887156.2012.730444

Trifan, V. A., & Pantea, M. F. (2023). The receptivity of younger generation Romanian employees to new technology implementation and its impact on the balance between work and life. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 24(3), 489–505. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2023.19500

Tsvangirai, F. P., & Chinyamurindi, W. T. (2019). The moderating effect of employee motivation on workplace surveillance and employee engagement amongst employees at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 17(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v17i0.1106

Walga, T. K. (2018). Job satisfaction and satisfaction with work-life balance across cultures. Journal of Intercultural Management, 10(2), 159–179. https://doi.org/10.2478/joim-2018-0013

Wan, W., & Duffy, R. D. (2022). Decent work and turnover intention among new generation employees: The mediating role of job satisfaction and the moderating role of job autonomy. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221094591

Waworuntu, E. C., Kainde, S. J., & Mandagi, D. W. (2022). Work-life balance, job satisfaction and performance among millennial and Gen Z employees: A systematic review. Society, 10(2), 286–300. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v10i2.464

Wisniewski, B., Zierer, K., & Hattie, J. (2020). The power of feedback revisited: A meta-analysis of educational feedback research. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 3087. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03087

Wolor, C. W., Kurnianti, D., Zahra, S. F., & Martono, S. (2020). The importance of work-life balance on employee performance milennial generation in Indonesia. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(9), 1103–1109. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3717417