Protecting my turf: The moderating role of generational differences on the relationships between self-direction and hedonism values and reactions to generational diversity

ABSTRACT

Drawing from basic human values theory and generational identity theory, we hypothesize that two self-focused values, self-direction and hedonism, will be negatively associated with reactions to generational diversity initiatives, and that this relationship will differ between millennials and non-millennials. As expected, our findings illustrate that self-direction and hedonism are negatively related to reactions to generational diversity initiatives. Additionally, self-direction’s influence on reactions to diversity initiatives is significantly higher for non-millennials than millennials. These findings suggest that generational differences affect cognitive processes surrounding reactions to generational diversity initiatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Generational differences
• generational diversity
• millennials
• values

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Data for this study are available at: https://sc.lib.miamioh.edu/handle/2374.MIA/6269

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. B. Dust

Scott B. Dust, Ph.D. is the Dr. John F. Mee Endowed Assistant Professor of Management in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Dr. Dust earned his Ph.D. in Management/Organizational Behavior at the LeBow College of Business, Drexel University and his M.B.A and B.S. from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. His research investigates the effect of employees’ metacognitive capacities (e.g., self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence) on their ability to overcome work-related interpersonal challenges and leverage interpersonal differences in order to engage in constructive conflict. His work has appeared in academic journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Leadership Quarterly, Human Relations, and International Journal of Management Reviews.

M. W Gerhardt

Megan W. Gerhardt, Ph.D. is a Professor of Management and Leadership at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University, specializing in individual and team leadership development, where she also serves as Co-Director of the Isaac & Oxley Center for Business Leadership. Megan is an Associate Editor for the Academy of Management Learning and Education journal, and her research has been published in outlets such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, Personality and Individual Differences, Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, and Learning and Individual Differences.

D. Hebbalalu

Deepika Hebbalalu graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Psychology. She currently works at Neilson as an HR Business Partner. Deepika worked on several research projects with faculty during her tenure at Miami University.

M. Murray

Marisa Murray graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Human Capital Management and Leadership. Marisa also received her M.S. in Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell University. She currently is part of the HR Leadership Development Program at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Marisa worked on several research projects with faculty during her tenure at Miami University.