Work Values of Baby-Boomers and Generation X of the Chinese Community in Malaysia

Abstract

Organizations in the era of globalization require not only an efficient and cohesive pool of workforce but also one with strong work values. The said workforce in general comprises the Baby-boomers (aged 40 to 60 years) and Generation X (aged 25 to 39 years) workers. The Generation X undoubtedly, will be slowly replacing the boomers in the labour force. Rightfully so, the former would be playing a more active and dynamic role in the labour market. Hence, a comprehensive study of their work values with comparison to their Baby-boomers counterpart is timely. This study adopted Mantech’s (1983) Work Value Questionnaire to elicit the responses of the target groups. The work values of the boomers and X-ers of the working ethnic Chinese in Malaysia may not be significantly different but findings have sufficient evidence that the X-ers are more money-oriented than the boomers though both generations may agree that work values categories which are more extrinsic and materialistic in nature are more important to them. The results of this study will be helpful for the organizations, particularly those of the Chinese-based to review, if required, their current human resource policies.