Millennials’ work values: a systematic review and synthesis of factors

ABSTRACT

Work values is a key concept in understanding generational identity in workplace settings. Drawing on a systematic literature review (N = 30), we capture, describe and synthesize the factorial space of work values for the Millennials’ (post 80s) generation in tourism research. The findings reveal a disparate space of more than 70 different factors, derived mostly from inductive approaches. Using a “start with theory” approach drawn on basic human values theory as applied in tourism work settings, we synthesize these factors along four dimensions – instrumental, cognitive, affective, and prestige. This unifying conceptualization brings clarity, enabling tourism scholars to contribute more refined, accurate, and comprehensive work values conceptualizations for intra and cross-generational inquiries in tourism work contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Millennials
• generational differences
• work values
• basic human values
• PRISMA 2020
• systematic literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Hellenic Open University [80268].

Notes on contributors

Emmanouil F. Papavasileiou

Emmanouil F. Papavasileiou is a Research Fellow of HRM at the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece and a Lecturer of HRM at the FH Kufstein, University of Applied Sciences, in Austria.

Dimitrios P. Stergiou

Dimitrios P. Stergiou is Associate Professor at the Hellenic Open University, where he also serves as the Vice-Dean of the School of Social Sciences.

Irini Dimou

Irini Dimou is Associate Professor in Business Administration at the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece.