New Perspectives on Researching Generational Diversity at Work

Abstract

The concept of generational differences at work is one that has recently been adopted by practitioners as a basis on which to design human resource management and career management practices. However, there has been some concern in academic circles about the validity of the notion of generations and the evidence base that supports it. A Professional Development Workshop at the 2011 Academy of Management Annual Meeting examined past research on generational diversity and concluded that the evidence base is flawed. There is therefore a need for new perspectives and methodological approaches to investigating generational differences at work in order to establish the validity and value of generations as an axis of diversity. This symposium will build on the critical view of generational differences proposed in the 2011 PDW and in recent literature (for example Parry & Urwin, 2011) and present four studies that provide new perspectives, methodological approaches and findings in this area. At the conclusion of these papers, a discussant, who herself has been instrumental in adopting new methodological approaches to investigation generations, will talk about the implications of the findings and the Chair will lead a discussion between the presenters and audience.Age Cohort or Identity? Examining the Meaning of GenerationPresenter: Michael Joseph Urick; U. of CincinnatiPresenter: Elaine C. Hollensbe; U. of CincinnatiWhy do Generational Differences in Psychological Contracts Exist?Presenter: Xander Lub; Tilburg U.Presenter: Rene Schalk; Tilburg U.Presenter: Robert Blomme; Nyenrode Business U.Back to Basics: Is There a Significant Generational Dimension and Where Does It Cut?Presenter: Peter Urwin; Westminster U.Presenter: Emma Parry; Cranfield U.Presenter: Franz Buscha; Westminster U.The Age CubePresenter: Jesse Segers; U. of Antwerp/ Antwerp Management SchoolPresenter: Ilke Inceoglu; SHLPresenter: Lisa M. Finkelstein; Northern Illinois U.

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