Generation Y’s Work Values and Their Impact on the Hospitality Industry

Ţăpescu (Stoian), A. I. M. & Iorgulescu, M. C. (2016). Generation Y’s Work Values and Their Impact on the Hospitality Industry. CACTUS - Journal of Tourism Business, Management and Economics, 14 (2).

Based on the official APA guide. Review the full set of examples.

Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

In the current business environment, it is considered natural to see people from different generations working together. As it seems to be widely accepted that each generation has its own attributes that reflect in a unique manner on the way work is perceived, managers are being confronted with new challenges in managing human resources. As a result, the paper underlines the main differences between the three currently active generations on the labor market (Baby Boomers, generation X and generation Y) and their implications on the workplace. The main purpose of the article is to present bachelors’ of business administration perceptions of the factors considered important for an ideal workplace and whether the hospitality and tourism industry is able to offer these factors. Consequently, the paper brings forward an exploratory research, conducted using a questionnaire-based survey on 2015 bachelor graduates at the Faculty of Business and Tourism (Bucharest University of Economic Studies): out of the 320 students who have been enrolled in the senior year (2014-2015 academic year), 237 graduates completed the questionnaire. The results of the survey indicate that generation Y members’ most valued workplace characteristics are having promotion possibilities, working with people who cooperate effectively, having free time for personal life and having the opportunity of receiving high salary increases, as they advance in their career. These findings are compared to the conclusions of previous studies presented in the literature developed on this subject. The results of the study are relevant for the tourism industry as they reflect the needs and expectations of generation Y, therefore enabling managers to develop new human resources practices in order to attract and retain young graduates and determine them to become loyal, engaged employees. Considering the limitations of the research, the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords

Generational differences, Generation Y, work values, tourism, hospitality, millennials

JEL Classification

J24, M12, M14, Z30

References

Barron, P., Maxwell, G., Broadbridge, A., & Ogden, S. (2007). Careers in hospitality management: Generation Y’s experiences and perceptions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 14(2), 119–128.

Brown, E., Thomas, N., & Bosselman, R. (2015). Are they leaving or staying: A qualitative analysis of turnover issues for Generation Y hospitality employees with a hospitality education. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 46, 130–137.

Chi, C., Maier, T., & Gursoy, D. (2013). Employees’ perceptions of younger and older managers by generation and job category. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 34, 42–50.

Choi, C., Kwon, J., & Kim, W. (2013). Effects of attitudes vs. experience of workplace fun on employee behaviors: Focused on Generation Y in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 25(3), 410–427.

Gursoy, D., Chib, C., & Karadagc, E. (2013). Generational differences in work values and attitudes among frontline and service contact employees. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 32, 40–48.

Gursoy, D., Maier, T., & Chi, C. (2008). Generational differences: An examination of work values and generational gaps in the hospitality workforce. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 27, 448–458.

Gursoy, D., & Park, J. (2012). Generation effects on work engagement among U.S. hotel employees. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31, 1195–1202.

Kalleberg, A., & Marsden, P. (2012). Changing work values in the United States, 1973–2006. Social Science Research, 42, 255–270.

Kapoor, C., & Solomon, N. (2011). Understanding and managing generational differences in the workplace. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 3(4), 308–318.

Lupu, N., Tănase, M. O., & Nica, A. M. (2014). Perception about business education in the tourism domain and the hospitality industry. Amfiteatru Economic, 14(37), 800–810.

Maxwell, G. A., Ogden, S. M., & Broadbridge, A. (2010). Generation Y’s career expectations and aspirations: Engagement in the hospitality industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 17, 53–61.

Richardson, S., & Thomas, N. (2012). Utilising Generation Y: United States hospitality and tourism students’ perceptions of careers in the industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 19, 102–114.

Smola, K., & Sutton, C. (2002). Generational differences: Revisiting generational work values for the new millennium. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23, 363–382.

Solnet, D., & Hood, A. (2008). Generation Y as hospitality employees: Framing a research agenda. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 15, 59–68.

Solnet, D., & Kralj, A. (2012). Generational differences in work attitudes: Evidence from the hospitality industry. Hospitality Review, 29(2), 37–54.