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Using Lifespan Developmental Theory and Methods as a Viable Alternative to the Study of Generational Differences at Work

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  • Zacher, Hannes

Abstract

I agree with Costanza and Finkelstein (2015) that it is futile to further invest in the study of generational differences in the work context due to a lack of appropriate theory and methods. The key problem with the generations concept is that splitting continuous variables such as age or time into a few discrete units involves arbitrary cutoffs and atheoretical groupings of individuals (e.g., stating that all people born between the early 1960s and early 1980s belong to Generation X). As noted by methodologists, this procedure leads to a loss of information about individuals and reduced statistical power (MacCallum, Zhang, Preacher, & Rucker, 2002). Due to these conceptual and methodological limitations, I regard it as very difficult if not impossible to develop a “comprehensive theory of generations” (Costanza & Finkelstein, p. 20) and to rigorously examine generational differences at work in empirical studies.

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  • Zacher, Hannes, 2015. "Using Lifespan Developmental Theory and Methods as a Viable Alternative to the Study of Generational Differences at Work," Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Cambridge University Press, vol. 8(3), pages 342-346, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:inorps:v:8:y:2015:i:03:p:342-346_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Umut Cil & Osman Cevik, 2024. "A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics," Journal of Economy Culture and Society, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 69(69), pages 133-148, June.

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