Multigenerational workforce and organizational performance: A convergent analysis
Chilufya C. Chiwisa & Mubanga Mpundu
Abstract
The composition of today's workforce has experienced a notable increase in age diversity with four generations working together. The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of a multigenerational workforce on organizational performance, specifically examining the skillsets of different generational cohorts. The motivation for doing the study arose from the necessity to comprehend the skill sets of various generational cohorts and how this understanding could assist firms in fostering an inclusive work environment and effectively manage the human capital of diverse generational groups. A convergent mixed study methodology was utilized to quantitatively define demographic parameters and qualitatively investigate concepts and themes of the phenomenon, as well as provide a comprehensive understanding of participant experiences. Data was collected from a purposively sampled population of 60 employees across three distinct generational cohorts: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y and included 4 senior managers and 56 line employees from a selected school in Lusaka District in Zambia. The data was acquired through surveys, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. The results indicated the presence of different generational skillsets within the workforce. The findings proposed strategies and best practices for managing a workforce consisting of multiple generations. Organizations can utilize the study's findings to enhance employee engagement within a multigenerational workplace. Furthermore, the data can be utilized to guide management methods to maintain harmonious working relationships.
Keywords
multigeneration, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z, organizational performance
Author information & Contribution
Chilufya C. Chiwisa. Corresponding author. Training Manager-Peace Corps, Zambia and Post Graduate Student at University of Zambia, Great East Road Campus, Lusaka. Email: chilufyac2014@gmail.com
Mubanga Mpundu. Senior Lecturer Department of Economics, University of Western Cape. Email: mmpundu@uwc.ac.za
“All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
AI Declaration
Notes
Acknowledgement
The author would like to express gratitude to the academic community and fellow PhD students for fostering an intellectually stimulating environment that greatly facilitated the completion of this undertaking.
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Cite this article:
Chiwisa, C.C. & Mpundu, M. (2024). The influence of a multigenerational workforce on organizational performance: A deep dive into generational skillsets. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research, 5(4), 23-52. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijair.353107
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