Different Generations: Different Work Values? Empirical Evidence from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) 1984–2021

Abstract

The chapter deals with the role of belonging to generations on the basis of the importance of professional success and turnover. The importance of professional success is a good indicator of the level of values, while turnover behavior is a good indicator at the behavioral level. The German Socio-economic Panel is used for the analysis. This panel study has been providing relevant representative data for Germany since 1984. The analysis distinguishes between cohort effects (generations), age effects, and period effects. The findings are clear: firstly, the concept of generation cannot be interpreted in terms of specific and lasting influences. Secondly, at the level of values, there is no distinct generation-specific pattern. The widespread assumptions in practice about change in the values of future generations cannot be confirmed. Thirdly, generation-specific effects can be identified at the level of behavior—in this case, fluctuation behavior. However, these are dominated by the strong age effects and supplemented by an interaction effect between generation and age group. Situational variables are also decisive for fluctuation.

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