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This article reviews the literature on the Millennial generation and their effects on the workplace. This review examines a sampling of articles to define generational differences and the importance of these studies. There are clearly common beliefs and opinions, both flattering and unflattering, about the Millennial generation. As more of this generation takes control, greater research will need to be conducted to understand what can motivate and lead this new generation. The large number of trade articles and low number of empirical studies show that there is a need for further understanding between the multiple generations in the workforce.
DEFINING GENERATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
Before understanding the importance of oncoming generational differences, we first must define the generations discussed in this article. A generation is a group which can be identified by year of birth, age, location and significant events that create their personality (Guha, 2010; Smola & Sutton, 2002). A generation can be developed by significant life events such as wars, new technologies, or major economic transitions. These events form the personality, values, and expectations of that generation (Hauw & Vos, 2010). Over the past sixty years, there have been three generations dominating the workplace: Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennials (Kaifi, Nafei, Khanfar, & Kaifi, 2012).
The Baby Boomer generation is anyone born between 1943 and 1960. They are called Baby Boomers because when the men returned from fighting in World War II, a large increase in birth rates followed, thus creating a baby boom. Baby Boomers were raised in a prosperous economic time. This generation did not grow up dependent on technology as our younger generations have (Kaifi et al., 2012; Smola & Sutton, 2002).
Generation X (also called Gen X, or Xers) were born between 1961 and 1979. Generation X marks the period of birth decline after the baby boom and is significantly smaller than previous and succeeding generations (Kaifi et al., 2012). Generation X was the first generation to return home from school without a parent to greet them because their parents were out working. This generation grew up around divorce, a poor economy, and high crime (Cahill & Sedrak, 2012).
The most recent generation to enter the workforce are the Millennials, who are individuals born between 1980 and...