ABSTRACT

In today’s world of accelerated change, the need for skilled employees has become one of the most pressing concerns for organizations. The demand for cutting-edge ideas and employee thought leadership has compelled organizations to seek individuals with diverse skill sets. Such diversity stems from differences in ethnicity, race, age, and sexual orientation, to name a few. Likewise, particular interest in the popular press and diversity-related issues has been centered on generational differences. Given the increase in trends toward generational mixing, as well as the imminent departure of older, skilled generation, understanding the impact of intergenerational dynamics on organizational outcomes is of utmost concern. This chapter therefore focuses on generational diversity, which arguably stems from experiences shared by different cohorts.