Jessica Hagy at Indexed had a brillant representation of the changing workplace and the impact that has on our economy.
The index card shows a graph with a direct relationship between boomers increasing in management positions and the X’ers starting up businesses. The message here is one of generation differences and the potential ripple effects in both businesses and the larger economy.
Each generation has a different style and the importance of them working together was highlighted in a post earlier on the Doc Blog; Millennials Are Not Alone. My mentor and I engaged in a discourse to study the impact of a new training intervention on the entire workforce population and not isolate the research to one subset or subgroup of the workforce, Millennials. Here is an excerpt of my Literature Review – 2nd Draft - that highlights the interrelationship of Millennials and other generations.
The current workplace is experiencing the presence of four generations that actively participate in organizational operations (Wagner, 2007). Each of these generations exhibit different working styles that result in conflict, change, and organizational growth (Wagner). Bridgers and Johnson (2006) describe the workforce makeup as 10% Traditionalist generation members, 44% Baby Boomers, 34% Generation X members, and 12% Millennials making for a workforce in flux from the employees beginning careers to those exiting into retirement.
What this shows is that a difference exists and the demographics of the varying populations. Hagy’s graph adds to the discourse by suggesting that potential conflict between 2 generations (boomers and X’ers in her case) can lead to an exodus from existing companies and the expansion of smaller startups (for good or bad).
How does this relate to my dissertation? If a solution is not found to satisfy the the bulk of the workforce, meet the expectations of senior generations, and bridge generational gaps through knowledge sharing there might be further exits of junior generations.
However, I would be curious about the X’ers exodus from Boomer managed companies and if these X’er startups appeal more to Millennials than the Boomer-run companies. Alas, this is a research topic for another time or someone else.
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June 5th, 2008 at 4:14 AM
Hi Mike!
Here you go again! Giving me something to think about again! Like I don’t have enough on my plate already! You were right about shifting dissertation ideas. I will add this one to the list of possibilities. Thank you!
Catherine Ford
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