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The multi-generational workforce presents challenges for organizations, as the needs and expectations of employees vary greatly between different age groups. To address this, organizations need to adapt their development and learning principles to better suit the changing workforce. The DDMT Teaching Model of Tsing Hua STEAM School, which integrates design thinking methodology, aims to address this challenge. DDMT stands for Discover, Define, Model & Modeling, and Transfer. The main aim of this study is to identify the organization development practices (OD) and gaps through interdisciplinary models such as DDMT and design thinking. In collaboration with a healthcare nursing home service provider, a proof of concept using the DDMT-DT model was conducted to understand the challenges in employment and retention of support employees between nursing homes under the healthcare organization. The paper highlights the rapid change in human experiences and mindsets in the work culture and the need for a design curriculum that is more relevant to the current and future workforce. The DDMT-DT approach can help organizations address these challenges by providing a framework for HR personnel to design training curricula that are more effective in addressing the issues of hiring and employee retention. By applying the DDMT-DT model, HR personnel can better understand the needs and motivations of the workforce and design training programs that are more relevant to their needs. The proof-of-concept research pilot project conducted with the healthcare nursing home service provider demonstrated the effectiveness of the DDMT-DT model in addressing the issues of hiring and employee retention. The project provides a valuable case study for other organizations looking to implement the DDMT-DT model in their HR practices. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of adapting HR practices to better suit the changing workforce. The DDMT-DT model provides a useful framework for organizations looking to improve their HR practices and better address the needs of their workforce.
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This paper investigates how employer attractiveness has been affected by developments in the attitudes, values, and goals of Generation Z (born between 1995-2010) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows the challenging environment for employers who are increasingly facing a 'war for talent' and the need to focus on generational needs and expectations. Work concepts in many cases have been adapted to Generation Y, but a revision of strategies is needed for the newest generation on the labour market. The insurance industry has long struggled to attract young talent and along with retail, logistics, tourism, and banking has been ranked the lowest in employer attractiveness by Generation Z. This is corroborated by the fact that larger corporations are also often perceived as unattractive by young people. While many industries have struggled with the consequences and challenges of the pandemic, the insurance sector can be seen as having mastered the crisis comparatively well. This paper questions whether the relative job security offered by the insurance sector, can be increasingly influential in post pandemic job choices. Since Generation Z was already described as securityoriented before the pandemic, this is expected to have increased as a result of COVID-19 and be reflected in their career and employer choices. The perspectives of Generation Z and employers from the German insurance industry are compared through survey and interview data. The young cohort suspects a worsening of their situation particularly in job offerings and security. At the same time, the insurance industry positions itself well in exactly these areas. Furthermore, the aspirations and expectations of Generation Z towards the professional world coincide strongly with the offerings of insurers as employers. However, the respondents see the sector's image as a deterrent. Although this paper focuses on the insurance industry, strategic recommendations given on how the sector can position itself, are relevant for other sectors facing the challenge of attracting Generation Z employees. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.
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The economy of the Republic of Croatia is dependent on the tourism industry. The current crisis in the global tourism market, caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, has highlighted the impor-tance of the domestic market for the survival of tourism and the Croatian economy as a whole. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to determine the consumer habits of domestic tourists, fo-cusing on the characteristics of travel, motivation and behavioural intentions and co-creation of the tourist experience to better understand the behaviour of tourists. The paper is based on an empirical study conducted on a sample of domestic tourists. The research results show that the majority of tourists organize their own travel and that the main source of information for them is the Internet. The most common reasons for traveling are rest and relaxation, fun and new experiences. Using cluster analysis, three segments of domestic tourists were identified (Youth, Couples and Families with Children), and differences were found among them in terms of travel characteristics, travel motivation, behavioural intentions, degree of tourists' involvement in travel preparation, and degree of co-creation of the tourist experience. The paper contributes to the understanding of motives and behavioural patterns of domestic tourists. The research findings can be used by marketing manag-ers in travel agencies and tourist destinations to better address the needs of domestic tourists.
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The author rather than accepting the prevailing narrative that adolescents are becoming socially impaired by technology, explores the ways in which digital natives have utilized and at times advanced beyond their forebears in terms of social intelligence, exploring the convergence of social, racial, gender, and political identity on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, she considers the experience of the psychotherapist wrestling with personal loss and attunement and repair within the therapeutic relationship. The Social Dilemma, a Netflix film released in 2020, daunts a chilling narrative of the online social sphere. The Social Dilemma depicts how essentially we are puppets of digital creators and being exploited for capital gains. Technology is smart, sometimes too smart. And if we are not learning how to be responsible, mindful, productive consumers of social media and emphasizing the need to cultivate emotional intelligence traits both offline and online through social-emotional learning and digital literacy, we will most certainly find ourselves riddled with technological addictions and other significant mental health impairments inclusive of rising suicide rates among more avid online users. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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PurposeIn the context of heightened awareness and understanding of responsible tourism, it has become increasingly imperative for luxury hotels to introspect on the impact of their operations on environmental and social sustainability. This study aims at examining the prevalence and growth of sustainability practices in the Indian luxury hotel segment as it increasingly competes on a global platform.Design/methodology/approachThe research approach adopted in this paper is qualitative and emic. Primary data is gathered for the study through semi-structured interviews with select luxury hotel general managers from four hotel chains of Indian origin – ITC Luxury Hotels, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Taj Hotels and Palaces and The Leela – to gain an insight into sustainability initiatives adopted in the Indian hospitality industry. Secondary research data regarding the eco-friendly, green measures implemented in these hotels is collected primarily from the websites of the respective hotel chains and supplemented by review of academic literature, media articles, industry reports and company press releases.FindingsThe findings of the study reveal that Indian luxury hotel brands are increasingly adopting green products and integrating innovative sustainability practices in their day-to-day operations. However, several of these initiatives are in the non-customer-facing domains such as the engineering and back-of-the-house operations. Very few Indian hotel chains are building these sustainability initiatives into their core philosophy and embedding it in the front-line customer service experience at their properties to reinforce the green image of the hotels.Originality/valueThe paper also proposes the 6Cs Framework of Sustainability that can be utilised to categorise the green sustainable practices adopted in responsible hotels in a simplistic manner under six broad verticals. Practitioners, researchers and educationists in the hospitality industry would find the implications of this study useful in the context of a post-pandemic world where sustainability is influencing consumer choices across industries in today's eco-conscious and enlightened business and marketing environment.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic is associated with many radical changes in the lives of young adults. Their developmental and generational characteristics would likely affect their experiences of Pandemic. This study explores their experiences in the context of school, family, and friendship during the Pandemic. The sample consisted of 23 college students. Qualitative data were collected online and analyzed with the thematic analysis method. The results showed that their experiences in the school context resulted in seven themes: difficulties with online classes, benefits, negative mood, coping strategies, loss of socialization opportunities at school, return to daily life, and physical conditions. The themes in the family context were the need for autonomy, increasing conflict, improved family relationships, and no change. Finally, in the friendship context, the themes of losses, coping strategies, emotions, no change, and gains emerged. Results were discussed in terms of the self-determination perspective and generational characteristics of the sample.
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PurposeAs Generation Z (Gen Z) represents one of the most important segments in the travel and tourism sector, the present work aims to analyse Gen Z's behaviour in a post-pandemic scenario. In particular, the present work deepens the factors that may influence future accommodation choices.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from a web-based questionnaire targeting Italian tourists belonging to Generation Z, reaching 221 complete responses. After the statistical analysis of the sample, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then carried out.FindingsData provided evidence about the main factors affecting Gen Z tourist choices. In particular, these young consumers are positively influenced by the information (especially from institutional and verifiable sources), more flexible purchase terms (e.g. full refund in case of cancellation due to contagion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and digital payments) and structure features (e.g. cleanliness, sanitisation, digitalisation and sustainability).Originality/valueThis work attempts to contribute to the academic literature by looking at the tourism experience from Gen Z's perspective. From this angle, this work underlines the influence some factors exert on the final accommodation choice, especially in the presence of exogenous events. Moreover, as this study focusses on a post-pandemic scenario, the study seeks to provide valuable indications, both at the theoretical and managerial level, for the tourism sector to boost the sector's recovery and prepare the sector to face similar events.
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The global economy perhaps suffered the worst-ever disaster since the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. It hits badly both life and livelihood leaving away the mark of catastrophe across the labor market by causing harm to both employment and employ ability. The badly damaged sectors like airlines, hospitality, and retail chains fueled the crisis of loss in employment opportunities due to the total collapse of the tourism industry. However, within these bleak business situations, healthcare, and pharmaceutical (thanks to the COVID vaccine invention) sectors recorded robust growth despite huge fatalities of healthcare professionals across the globe. Despite the recessionary trend across the sectors, business growth in e-commerce was phenomenal;because the series of lockdowns, compelled households to satisfy demands at the doorstep, by using e-commerce platforms. Even after the pandemic, there was an explosion of e-commerce businesses creating value for the customers and satisfying it at their doorsteps;from trimming of hair to fumigation at households or from arranging Pandits for performing Pujas to booking accommodation for a cozy stay at remote holiday destinations made available at fingertips. The introduction of Work from Home (WFH) or Remote Working which was earlier practiced widely by IT or IT-enabled services and adopted subsequently by other businesses in the form of virtual or hybrid working has opened opportunities for individuals to explore newer sources of income to balance their financial liabilities threatened by the erosion of permanent employment, wage cut, and frizzing of increments. So, when maintaining a livelihood is important, financial insecurity created the center stage for exploring alternatives for sustenance. Therefore, the concept of moonlighting is an offshoot of changing organizational commitments and outlook toward the individual employee during and the post-pandemic period evidenced in the changes in people management policies of talent acquisition, management, and retention. The policy changes though promulgated for business continuity, negatively impacted employee morale causing the workforce, particularly the millennial and gen Z start shifting mindsets toward the workplace by leveraging expertise elsewhere without hampering primary employment. It will be the objective of the article to deep dive to understand the recent socioeconomic shifts which possibly act as an agent for the occurrence of moonlighting.
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Known for being passionate about fashion, Chinese Generation Z (CGZ) is a powerful consumer group in the China fashion market today, but a psychological shift in their perceptions has been driven by COVID-19, arousing the attention of the fashion field. As visual product, fashion product elicits consumers' emotional reactions. Existing research in fashion design has noted consumers' emotional needs but still lacks focus on them in specific cultural contexts. To fill the gap, we employed a Kansei Engineering (KE) method to detect consumers' emotional responses to fashion design. This study uncovered CGZ's preferences, perceptions of fashion styles, and demographic influence. Further, we clustered CGZ's emotional needs into four classifications based on the relationship between the participants and dressing, others, and the environment. This study serves as a theoretical guideline for fashion design by translating consumers' emotional needs into a conceptual framework.
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PurposeThis paper explores intergenerational perceptions of kindness in the context of Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the COVID-19 global pandemic. The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate perceptions of kindness in the context of traumatic events and its potential value in authentic allyship in organizational environments.Design/methodology/approachAuthors interviewed 65 individuals (31 self-identifying as non-racialized and 34 self-identifying as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour aka BIPOC). Participants included Generation Z (Gen Z;born between 1997-2012/5) and Generation Y (Gen Y;also referred to as Millennials, born between 1981 and 1994/6) across North American, Europe and Africa. Millennials currently represent the largest generation in the workplace and are taking on leadership roles, whereas Gen Z are emerging entrants into the workplace and new organizational actors.FindingsThe paper offers insights into how to talk about BLM in organizations, how to engage in authentic vs performative allyship and how to support BIPOC in the workplace. The study also reveals the durability of systemic racism in generations that may be otherwise considered more enlightened and progressive.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors expand on kindness literature and contribute theoretically and methodologically to critical race theory and intertextual analysis in race scholarship.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to the understanding of how pro-social behaviours like kindness (with intention) can contribute to a more inclusive discourse on racism and authentic allyship.Originality/valueAuthors reveal the potential for kindness as a pro-social behaviour in organizational environments to inform authentic allyship praxis.
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This study analyses the decisions made by current generations of young people (Millennials and Generation Z) as users of digital technologies for interpersonal communication through ICTs, describing the expressive characteristics they attribute to social networks (Instagram) and instant messaging (WhatsApp). A mixed method is used to approach the research: on the one hand, the application of a self-administered questionnaire, as a pilot study and development platform for qualitative research;on the other hand, ten group dynamics with national and international undergraduate and postgraduate university students from two Spanish universities, one public and one private. The results show that WhatsApp and Instagram are the main channels for communication and the shaping of digital identity, but their use changes depending on the needs, interlocutors, and services of the application. The representations linked to these applications for interpersonal communication are well differentiated and clear reasons are given for their preference and suitability to the interests of digital natives. Millennials and Centennials are linked to a digital culture of "resident" users (White and Le Cornu, 2011), although some differences are observed between both groups with regard to the uses they make of these applications. WhatsApp and Instagram are affected by the COVID19 experience and undergo important transformations.
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The aim of this research is to examine the marketing strategies to Generation Z, social media cognitive engagement, social media influencer, perceived corporate social responsibility and user-generated media communication and hedonic brand image as moderator on generation Gen Z purchase intention, and examining these effects in Covid'19 pandemic recession phase in Pakistan. Research was completed on Generation Z respondents, using an online survey questionnaire were evaluated using through factor analysis, model fit, SEM via Smart PLS 4. Empirical results via structural equation modeling demonstrate that the impact of the four constructs played a partially significant role on Gen Z purchase intention. Gen Z has strong bonding with social media engagement and aware of CSR activities of an organization and confirmed their behavior toward e-shopping. Brand equity and Citizen Behavior are could be examined as a dependent variable but we didn't due to lack of literature. Social media cognitive engagement and perceived corporate social responsibility has strong relation with generation Z purchase intention which indicates generation Z is engage with social media and CSR activities. Online business operators and trend setter can identify and promote their business on social media sites. Through this study marketers and professionals can also formulate strategies to increase promote their business. The empirical results provide academic contributions to the current group of knowledge in the marketing to capture Gen Z. Using advanced quantitative data analysis will eventually enable future researchers to explain the contribution of the current study to understanding the importance of Generation Z psychology.
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Over the years, the forms of communication have changed drastically due to always changing technology. Where face-to-face or phone interactions used to be the only way to communicate with one another, workplaces now can email, post communications on a company-wide portal, or hold virtual meetings. With four generations currently in the workplace, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, research shows there are differences in the way all generations prefer to communicate. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a statistical difference in preferred communication methods, what the preferred channel is, if there is a difference in preference based on the context of what is being delivered, if there is a preference in the technology used for workplace trainings, and whether the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a change in preferences among generations. A quantitative study was performed to analyze the research questions. All participants filled out a survey and questionnaire through SurveyMonkey. ANOVA analysis and comparisons of means and standard deviations were used to analyze the results. While differences were found among the means and standard deviations, only two statistically significant differences were found.This study found valuable information organizations can use to better the communication for all employees. Organizations can utilize this information to create effective communication and trainings across the workplace. Creating a more effective communication method will help keep employees motivated and engaged. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Study Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the anxiety levels and coping strategies of nursing students during the covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methodology: The data were collected as online and The study was completed with 645 students who voluntarily and completely filled in the data collection forms. Results: The average age of the participants was 21.45±1.34, and 79.7% of them were females. The most frequently used coping attitude included "turning to religion" (13.51 ±2.75) indicating an increase in religious activities in case of difficulties;the least utilized coping attitude was found "use of alcohol-drug" (4.82±2.15), indicating the use of substances effect to relieve the tension experienced. Of all the participating students, 55% reported mild, moderate, and severe anxiety levels. Conclusions: Nursing students were found to have decreased generalized anxiety scores when they used problemfocused and emotion-focused coping methods, and they were found to have increased anxiety scores when they used dysfunctional coping methods.
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The health crisis due to the recent pandemic influenced our lives and, consequently, our consumption. Despite prior investigations on exogenous crises and their effects on consumption, no studies to date have examined consumers' coping strategies to health crises that require social distancing and, more particularly, responses to such crises by focusing on Generation Z. The present study fills this gap by exploring how consumption evolved during a lockdown as a consequence of these consumers' attempts to cope with the crisis. Through a qualitative approach based on grounded theory and projective techniques, findings shed light on new meanings of resilience and nostalgia, which seem to characterize Generation Z's consumers' desires during a lockdown. Importantly, we introduce the concept of responsible hedonic consumption, which stems from Generation Z consumers' desire to search for experiences that are pleasant but also compatible with personal and societal wellbeing. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
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Purpose: Virtual reality (VR), as a new type of media technology, significantly improves the audience experience with product presentation in the marketing communication field. The apartment rental market, particularly in China, has no exception in adopting VR technology in its communication strategy. VR usage has been boosted since the outbreak of COVID-19 and has become a widespread application in the global apartment rental market. Although extant studies have analyzed how real estate companies use VR technology to enhance customer experience, few studies have been made to explore the power of VR in apartment rental advertising, particularly in targeting the youth in China market. To fill this research gap, this study aims to figure out how young consumers perceive VR advertising and characteristics of VR used in apartment rental advertisements, and how VR advertising affects young consumers' intentions to rent an apartment. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 with 301 Chinese university students aged 18 to 23. All respondents were invited offline and guided to watch one selected rental advertisement with VR technology featuring an apartment of about 50 square meters and then complete a questionnaire. Findings: VR's media richness in the apartment rental advertising increases its sense of presence perceived by the survey respondents. Both VR's media richness and sense of presence positively influence respondents' attitudes toward the advertised apartment. If respondents evaluate the advertised apartment positively, they are more willing to rent the advertised apartment. Research limitations/implications: The sample size is not large enough to represent all Generation Z consumers in China. The use of the nonprobability sampling method also limits the generalizability of the study results. Practical implications: To counter the challenges created by COVID-19, apartment rental service providers and apartment owners/landlords are suggested to enhance the application of VR technology to the apartment rental advertisements to grow young consumers' interest in the advertised apartments and even their renting intention. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first quantitative study to assess young consumers' responses to VR apartment rental advertising in China. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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This research is mixed-method research aiming at identifying and prioritizing the Organization Development interventions to improve leadership, communication, training & development, support, and justice. Research design, data and methodology: The research also utilizes a needs assessment to examine the differences between the current and expected situations. The target respondents comprise generation Y and Z from both Zhejiang province, China. During the COVID-19 period, the researcher obtained 22847 responses from Zhejiang province, using convenient and purposive sampling. Results and conclusions: The quantitative findings show a significant difference between the current situation and the expected situation regarding leadership, communication, training & development, support, and justice (p < 0.05). According to the PNImodified value, the top three dimensions needing improvement are justice, support, and communication. The five open-ended questions' coding results revealed that respondents were dissatisfied with their organizations' five dimensions' current situation.
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The COVID-19 pandemic affected the traditional new professional experience in student affairs, a field with a significant attrition rate in the first five years of service (Marshall et al., 2016). This qualitative case study analyzed data from semi-structured interviews alongside existing literature to uncover how the pandemic impacted Generation Z new professionals in student affairs and suggest how supervisors may best support them. The study illustrated the Generation Z new professional experience during the pandemic and found that this population possessed qualities consistent with pre-pandemic Generation Z literature. Effective supervision of this cohort was characterized by aligned expectations, an ethic of care, and flexibility. These needs informed recommendations for supporting Generation Z new professionals entering and continuing in the field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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This research paper focuses on mobile banking acceptance among Generation Z users by combining the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) theory, as well as extending the theories with perceived trust and risk. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the online questionnaire survey was distributed using Google Forms, and the sample group was Thai Generation Z who were aged between 18 and 25 years old. The research objectives aim to (i) investigate the crucial effects that potentially affect user intention and actual usage of mobile banking, (ii) identify the most influential factor impacting users' intention and behavior, (iii) further study the trust and risk perception of Generation Z users on mobile-banking intention and actual usage, (iv) discuss the findings with the antecedent studies, and (v) contribute the research findings both theoretically and practically. The proposed constructs include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived trust, perceived risk, behavioral intention, and actual usage. There are fourteen proposed hypotheses to be tested. Based on the outcomes and the standardized coefficient beta, perceived usefulness (β = 0.518) was the strongest factor determining Generation Z's behavioral intention, while perceived ease of use (β = 0.809) impacting perceived usefulness demonstrated the strongest relationship among all of the hypotheses.
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E-wallets are one of the breakthroughs brought forth by the evolution of FinTech, which has been accentuated by the global outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend the factor of e-wallet acceptance. As this technology advances, substantial knowledge and research gaps become apparent. Previous studies on e-wallet acceptance have overlooked the importance of motivation and self-efficacy. There is a dearth of focus on certain age groups, such as Gen Z, which is currently the trendsetter of new technologies. This study aims to close the gaps regarding the lack of focus toward Gen Z, motivation, and self-efficacy in understanding e-wallet acceptance by combining the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Self-Efficacy (SE), and Digital Media Self-Efficacy (DMSE) to fully understand the factors influencing e-wallet acceptance among Gen Z, using 233 samples to test 16 hypotheses derived from the identified research and knowledge gaps. External Regulation (ER), SE, and DMSE are the determinants of acceptance, according to Structural Equation Model analysis conducted. Mediation analysis reveals that Attitude toward Use (AT) is the full mediator of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEU). The quintessential outcome of this research is the Model of E-Wallet Acceptance among Gen Z, which is significant for FinTech industries looking to strategically roll out e-wallet initiatives as well as a point of exploration for numerous future academic research and development. © 2023 by the authors.