THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUNG EMPLOYEES:REGIONAL DIMENSION

Abstract

The entrepreneurial community constantly sends signals about the demand for young employees, representatives of the generation of the centennials. Various studies of young generation workers do not analyze the opinions of employers regarding the changes in the structure of human resource management, while knowing the characteristics of generation Z can help companies adjust to their interests in recruitment, selection and retention of young employees. In this regard, the main purpose of this study is to identify the attitudes of the entrepreneurial community towards young employees on the example of old industrial region of the Southern Federal District - the Volgograd region. The data for the analysis are obtained through an anonymous survey of entrepreneurial structures without reference to their size and form of ownership using «Google-form» platform in the period from May 15 to September 01, 2022. The questionnaire was distributed through the Union «Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Volgograd region», the portal of state support of business of Volgograd region «My Business» and through personal contacts. The total sample was 214 enterprises. The survey showed that small enterprises of the Volgograd region have quite high requirements for young employees and do not have information about the changes in the structure of human resource management. Employers want employees to be creative, proactive, have knowledge of specialized computer programs and experience in the relevant field, but they are not ready to offer them high wages. Generation Z workers expect organizations to provide career development, but business structures in this regard are only willing to pay for training or refresher courses, internships in other regions, and the provision of discounted trips. Russian entrepreneurs continue to ignore the needs, demands and values of young workers. Regional business support institutions should organize market research on the needs, values and demands of centennials in relation to employers. Entrepreneurs could pay special attention to implementing global and national best practices in meeting the needs of young employees.