D.B.A.  Baker College (Michigan), 2013.
Specialization:  Business; Pedagogy; Organization theory

The pedagogy of organizational leaders: Identifying generational differences and how those differences may cause workplace conflict
144 pages.UMI #: AAT 3566385
Citation, Abstract, & Full text in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database

The generation gap and generational differences have been much discussed; however, limited research has been conducted on the combination of variables involved with these issues. A confluence of factors has led to organizations being run by a complement of employees who comprise several generations: Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979), and Generation Y, also known as Millennials, (born between 1980 and 1995). Members of these groups often have different values and work expectations. This study investigated the effects of intergenerational relationships in the workplace. The goal of this research was to explore sources of workplace conflict between generations and to provide a template for organizational leaders to use in guiding their generationally-mixed employees. The target population was individuals from a city in central Mississippi. The research population was people who attended a conference. Snowball sampling was used to select 15 people born between 1946 and 1995. Those individuals completed a 20-item, researcher-designed questionnaire. The primary themes extracted from the interview data were polarization, discomfiture, lack of respect, and poor communication at work. While generational differences have not been definitively proven to cause workplace conflict, these issues were perceived by many of the study participants to cause problems between the generations at work and are at the core of conflict on their jobs. In order to understand and ameliorate workplace conflict, it is recommended that the voices of the community, businesses, and employees are heard. Not only should these voices be heard, but these entitles should feel mandated to work together to find ways to be conciliators of peace at work. Peace is guided by relationships, and productive relationships can help individuals find meaning in their lives through beneficial connections to others.

• Peggy M. Houghton, Ph.D., Chair
• Susan Cathcart, Ph.D.
• Bernice Folz, Ph.D.