Understanding the similarities and differences of two generations - Generation Z and Millennials

Pojam „generacije“ se može definirati kao skupina ljudi rođena u istom razdoblju od nekoliko godina i stoga socijalizirana u sličnom okruženju. Milenijalci su demografska kohorta poznata kao Generacija Y, rođena između 1981. i 1996. godine. Milenijalce nasljeđuje generacija Z, poznata kao iGeneracija. Pojedinci koji su dio ove generacije rođeni su između 1997. i 2010. godine. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je primjenom kvalitativne metodologije dobiti uvid u sličnosti i razlike između milenijalaca i generacije Z u mišljenjima o karijeri te u radnim navikama, provođenju slobodnog vremena i obiteljskom životu. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo ukupno 20 sudionika, 10 iz generacije milenijalaca te 10 iz generacije Z s kojima su održani polustrukturirani kvalitativni intervjui. Tematskom analizom dobivene su četiri glavne teme: 1) Izbor karijere najčešće je potaknut osobnim interesom, a za opstanak na radom mjestu najbitniji je radni kolektiv, 2) Radne navike ovise o motiviranosti i razlogu obavljanja pojedinog zadatka, 3) Shvaćanje i viđenje vlastitog slobodnog vremena te 4) Obitelj zauzima važno mjesto u životima milenijalaca i generacije Z. Kroz istraživanje je pronađeno više sličnosti nego razlika među generacijama. Obje generacije su svoj karijerni izbor temeljile na interesu, a radne navike i izvršavanje obaveza ovise o procjeni važnost i zanimljivosti obaveze. Slobodno vrijeme je za njih period u kojem su oslobođeni obaveza, a kada govore o obiteljskom životu, većina sudionika obje generacije se vidi i želi ostvariti u tom pogledu kroz brak i djecu. Istraživanje otvara put k razvoju međugeneracijske solidarnosti i razumijevanja te stvara temelje za razvoj i istraživanje međugeneracijske empatije na temelju boljeg razumijevanja različitih generacija.The term "generation" can be defined as a group of people born in the same period of several years and therefore socialized in a similar environment. Millennials are the demographic cohort known as Generation Y, born between 1981 and 1996. Millennials are being succeeded by Generation Z, known as the iGeneration. Individuals who are part of this generation were born between 1997 and 2010. The aim of this study was to use a qualitative methodology to gain insight into the similarities and differences between millennials and generation Z in their opinions about careers and work habits, spending their free time, and family life. A total of 20 participants took part in the study, 10 from the millennial generation and 10 from the Z generation, with whom semi-structured qualitative interviews were held. Four main themes were obtained through thematic analysis: 1) The choice of career is most often motivated by personal interest, and the most important thing for survival at work is the work team, 2) Work habits depend on the motivation and reason for performing a particular task, 3) Understanding and seeing one's own free time and 4) The family occupies an important place in the lives of millennials and Generation Z. The research found more similarities than differences between the generations. Both generations based their career choice on interest. Work habits and performance of obligations depend on the assessment of the importance and interest of the obligation. For them, free time is a period in which they are free from obligations, and when they talk about family life, the majority of participants of both generations see themselves in and want to achieve in this regard through marriage and children. The research paves the way for the development of intergenerational solidarity and understanding and creates the foundations for the development and research of intergenerational empathy based on a better understanding of different generations