This document summarizes current studies on Generation Z and their characteristics in the work environment. It begins by defining Generation Z as those born after 1995. Through a systematic literature review of 34 studies from 8 databases, some key findings about Generation Z were synthesized. Generation Z prefers digital communication over personal interaction and learns best visually. At work, they expect interesting projects and flexible environments over hierarchy. While they can be team players, they also need clear instructions due to short attention spans. Overall, the study provides initial insights into Generation Z, but more data is still needed as they have yet to fully enter the workforce.

1. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
HR Konferencija 2015
Generation Z and the work
environment: overview of
current studies
Dipl.-Ing. Jadranka Halilović
20.-22.10.2015, Beograd

2. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Gen Z – who are they?
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http://writerswin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/GenZCartoon-300x300.jpghttp://mindofmarco.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Gen-Z.jpg

3. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Motivation
Gen Z in the work environment – relevant for Germany?
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4. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Motivation
Gen Z in the work environment – relevant
for Germany?
▪ Lack of experts: 6.29 million
▫ companies lose the majority of
employees with many years of expertise
▪ Challenges:
▫ securing the experience before best ager
retire
▫ recruit and retain talents
▪ BUT:
▫ behaviours and life philosophies differ
depending on age
▫ generation-specific features of the new
Generation Z?
4Frame: http://www.platinnetz.de/uploads/pics/iStock_000010567701XSmall.jpg; http://bizreporter.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/148059517.jpg

5. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
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Motivation
Generations in the labor market
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Baby Boomer Generation X Generation Y Generation Z
Born: mid-50s and mid-
60s
Born: mid-60s to end of
70s
Born: begin 80s to mid-
90s
maturity stage was
marked by socio-
political crises
"media revolution"
developed: computers,
VCRs…
experienced a world of
uncertainty; internet
they "live to work (a
lot)"
new motto "work to
live"
"living at work"
Negative stereotypes:
nostalgia,
unwillingness for
change
Negative stereotypes:
impatience, lack of
loyalty and cynicism
Negative stereotypes:
lazy, rebellious and
irresponsible
Positive
characteristics:
experts, have a sense
of duty, discipline and
loyalty
Positive
characteristics: new
experts, hard working
generation
Positive
characteristics: want
reasonable tasks,
question processes

6. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Method
Study analysis
▪ Generation Z most defined as "born after 1995"
▪ Method: Systematic Literature Reviews
1) Identification of studies
2) Selection of the studies
3) Evaluation of the quality of studies
4) Data extraction
5) Synthesis of the data
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7. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Findings
Synthesis of the data – General
▪ Communication behavior
 preferred style of communication: not personally or verbally, but chatting
using media on Internet and mobile phones
 Communication trough images  “show me, don’t tell me”
▪ Attitude towards life and environment
 "mini-adults" due to faster growing up, return to traditional values
 high level of education, Entrepreneurs mind setting, realisitic towards
their individual (professional) goals
▪ Cognitive abilities
 "multitaskers"  brain structure has changed and also their thinking
processes (poor reproduction of text)
 ability to concentrate for a long period is low  move information faster,
to think flexibly and to master mental challenges better
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8. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Findings
Synthesis of the data – Work environment
▪ Opinion / influencing the company
 very conscious about advertising and marketing
▪ Preparation for work in the company
 highest possible level of education
▪ Ideas on the working environment
 high expectations; work environment is more important than the content
 the Z's like to work in interesting projects, where they can broaden their
knowledge
 unattractive to Gen Z: hierarchical constraints
▪ Behavior in company
 team players, but described as "insecure in personal contact”
 short attention span of the Gen Z; that they need detailed instructions
for each step and the missing respect
 Most criticized - and discussed – is their lack of loyalty to the employer 8

9. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
der Organisation, des
Personalmanagement sowie der
Unternehmensführung
Summary
Gen Z ...
▪ Limitations
 Study provides first insights of consisting studies (8 databases, 34
studies)
 No real descriptions, because Gen Z hasn‘t entered the work
environment yet
▪ Work requirements
 Need to be taken seriously
 Appropriate tasks are demanded
 Differ from older generations
▪ Discussion
 Homogeneity of Gen Z in south eastern Europe and Germany?
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10. Lehrstuhl ABWL und Besondere
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Any
questions?
Dipl.-Ing. Jadranka Halilović
Mail: jadranka.halilovic@b-tu.de

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References
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Erwerbstätigkeit in Deutschland. Statistisches Bundesamt.
Kienbaum Communications. Absolventenstudie 2009/2010.
Klaffke, M. (2014). Erfolgsfaktor Generationen-Management: Handlungsansätze für das
Personalmanagement. In M. Klaffke (Ed.), Generationen-Management: Konzepte, Instrumente, Good-
Practice-Ansätze (pp. 3–25): Gabler.
Oertel, J. (2014). Baby Boomer und Generation X – Charakteristika der etablierten Arbeitnehmer-
Generationen. In M. Klaffke (Ed.), Generationen-Management: Konzepte, Instrumente, Good-Practice-
Ansätze (pp. 27–56). Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler.
Schöntauf, J. Gebrauchsanleitung Generation Y. ke-NEXT, 128–129.
Bottler, S., & Hassa, E. (2014). Der Kampf um die Gen Z.
Ex, M. hilfe - hier kommt die Generation Z.
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