The Development of Organizational Training: Identifying Generational Differences and Perceptions in Computerized Learning Systems in Government Organizations

Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the degree of effectiveness and preferences as it related to various computer-based training (CBT) and instructor-based training (IBT) types as perceived by baby boomer, Generation X, and millennial generational Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) employees based in San Diego, California, as measured by the Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Extended Learning Institute Survey. Methodology: The study used a descriptive, causal-comparative research design. A survey was administered to collect demographic data and responses that described and determined the degree of difference and effectiveness for various CBT types as perceived by generational groups. Findings: Participants from all generations had varying attitudes toward training effectiveness and perceptions of training types; however, research suggests that baby boomers continue to adapt and embrace workplace technological changes based on attitudes toward their learning effectiveness and preferences. Generation Xers continue to embrace and reinvent workplace technological changes based on attitudes toward their learning effectiveness and preferences, and learning gaps between the younger, technology-savvy generation and older generations suggest attitudes and behaviors have closed in technologically advanced and diverse organizations. Conclusions: First, there are varying attitudes toward the degree of training effectiveness and perceptions of training types. Second, generational studies helped to uncover differences between the generational groups and the importance of understanding their training perceptions. Third, the concluding thought of this research is that implementing effective principles of transformational leadership is, foremost, the way to achieve success in training in a rapidly changing technological environment. Recommendations: This study considered insight into the perceptions of training effectiveness and preferences of government employees in a technologically advanced organization. The study also considered the role of the U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Education and Training Command, organizational development (OD) professionals, and curriculum development designers with the state of generational group perceptions of CBT effectiveness and the preferred type of CBT instruction. Results could help organizations engage generational employees by developing age-friendly blended teaching methods, such as slower presentations with increased discussion, longer practice sessions, and interactive computer programs to aid learning to close gaps in training and enhance technological proficiency