Understanding generational diversity: Strategic human resource management and development across the generational “divide”

Abstract

There are more generations in today's workforce than ever before, which has the possibility to create challenges for Human Resource professionals. The purpose of this article is to interrogate existing stereotypes and generalities about the characteristics of different generations with respect to the workplace, and to offer suggestions for Human Resource professionals to help organizations successfully negotiate a multi‐generational workforce. A wide range of studies published in the last seven years is reviewed, in order to develop a taxonomy of generational issues and their implications for Human Resource Managers and Human Resource Developers. The article is framed by the following taxonomic dimensions: organizational citizenship behaviors, work values, work attitudes, motivation, psychological traits, and technology.