Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination

Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Urick, Michael Joseph
Language:English
Published: University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK 2013
Subjects:
Management
Generation
Tensions
Grounded Theory
Interactions
Identity
Qualitative
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109531
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin13781095312021-08-03T06:19:39Z Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination Urick, Michael Joseph Management Generation Tensions Grounded Theory Interactions Identity Qualitative Past generational research has been hampered by a lack of consensus on what the construct "generation" encompasses and a dearth of studies on the effects of generational phenomena on employees and organizations. I address these gaps by more closely examining perceptions of generations and intergenerational interactions. Taking a grounded theory approach, I ask research questions related to the definition of generation and the nature of intergenerational interactions at work. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with two samples (28 young professionals engaging in a leadership training program and 32 seasoned business consultants) I examine a variety of perspectives on generations. Based on my analysis of interview data, I present two empirically grounded models. The first model shows the multiple ways interviewees understand the concept of "generation," including collective consciousness, genealogy, life stage, age, identity, contribution, and as a "weak" concept. The second model illustrates influences on intergenerational interactions, including society, work context, and individual characteristics. These three influences affect the complex interplay between multiple intergenerational tensions and strategies for managing them. Finally, based on an analysis of my data, I provide suggestions to help guide future generational research. I draw on extant literature on generations from sociology and organizational science as well as related streams of research on diversity and conflict. My dissertation contributes to research and practice in several ways. First, it provides a fuller understanding of complex generational phenomena through systematic examination of how individuals describe how they manage and cope with intergenerational interactions at work. Second, it adds clarity to the generation construct by unpacking seven aspects of ";generation" resulting in a more nuanced view. Third, it provides implications for managers in dealing with the complexities of intergenerational interactions and their potential outcomes in the workplace. 2013-10-25 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109531 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109531 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Management
Generation
Tensions
Grounded Theory
Interactions
Identity
Qualitative
spellingShingle Management
Generation
Tensions
Grounded Theory
Interactions
Identity
Qualitative
Urick, Michael Joseph
Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
author Urick, Michael Joseph
author_facet Urick, Michael Joseph
author_sort Urick, Michael Joseph
title Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
title_short Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
title_full Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
title_fullStr Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
title_full_unstemmed Intergenerational Interactions in Organizations: A Grounded Theory Examination
title_sort intergenerational interactions in organizations: a grounded theory examination
publisher University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
publishDate 2013
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109531
work_keys_str_mv AT urickmichaeljoseph intergenerationalinteractionsinorganizationsagroundedtheoryexamination
_version_ 1719434815618416640

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