Varför arbeta? - En studie om värderingar, motivation och organisatorisk lojalitet hos arbetande generationer

Sammanfattning: This paper aims to investigate if there are any differences between the now working generations (Baby Boomers born 1946-1964, Generation X born 1965-1980, Generation Y born 1981-1994 and Generation Z born 1995-2010) with regards to how they value different aspects of working life, as well as to what degree they consider these aspects motivational. Additionally, it aims to clarify if there are differences in the degree of commitment members of the different generations feel toward their employers. Data was collected using an online survey that was sent to multiple organisations as well as individuals with some type of connection to the authors. From the data three categories of values and motivation were created, the factors were named ‘career’, ‘work-life balance’ and ‘altruism’. One separate factor was created for organisational commitment. The factors had varying Cronbach’s alpha values, not all fulfilling the >0,7 limit to be considered fully reliable but all within the limits of being considered acceptably reliable. Results from the study showed some differences between the generations in both values, motivation and organisational commitment. The differences were however not significant for any of the factors other than the motivation of career and then only between Generation X and Generation Y. Many reasons for this were discussed, examples being value changing circumstances such as the ongoing recession and recent pandemic, that the sample size was not large enough, creating the possibility of Type II errors, and the simple possibility that there are no significant differences in most aspects between generations. Regression analysis also suggested a significant relationship between sector and organisational commitment. The paper concludes that there are observed differences between the generations that are mostly insignificant but due to the multiple circumstances that could potentially cause the insignificance of the results no conclusion as to the answer to the question can be drawn and further studies are required. Suggestions are for example longitudinal studies of larger sample groups and if the most common lines drawn between generations can be considered valid across countries and cultures or need to be adjusted.