Understanding generation Z’s job engagement and performance  in generationally diverse workplace

Che Nhat Nguyen; Alang Tho; Trung Ba Nguyen

doi:10.46223/HCMCOUJS.econ.en.14.2.2633.2024

14 (2) 2024

Understanding generation Z’s job engagement and performance in generationally diverse workplace

Author - Affiliation:

Che Nhat Nguyen - International University, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam

Alang Tho - International University, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam

Trung Ba Nguyen - International University, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam

Corresponding author: Alang Tho - alangtho@hcmiu.edu.vn

DOI:10.46223/HCMCOUJS.econ.en.14.2.2633.2024

Submitted: 31-01-2023
Accepted: 30-03-2023
Published: 29-07-2023

Abstract

While many experts and professionals recognize the significance of employee engagement for job performance, there is a lack of research focused on generation Z, who are expected to constitute the majority of Vietnam’s future workforce. The emergence of generation Z in the workplace could create difficulties for organizational management and human resources professionals due to the increase in generational diversity. This study addressed the gap above by investigating key factors affecting the employee engagement of Vietnamese generation Z, and examine the degree of engagement influencing their job performance in the context of Vietnamese generationally diverse workplaces. Quantitative methods were utilized with primary data from an online structured survey of 258 Vietnamese generation Z in Ho Chi Minh City. The data were analysed by statistics techniques such as EFA, CFA and SEM via SPSS and AMOS software. The findings showed that supporting supervisor, working environment, and co-worker relationships positively influenced generation Z’s engagement, which leads to higher job performance. However, training and development, and compensation and benefit demonstrated no relationship with their engagement, hence, no correlation with job performance was found. This study provides an academic contribution to the comprehension of generational diversity and employee engagement within the Vietnamese business setting. Additionally, practical recommendations for employee engagement were suggested, with an emphasis on the importance of supportive supervisors.

JEL codes

G40; Z33; I12; E42

Keywords

diverse workplaces; employee engagement; Human Resource Development; generation Z

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Cite this paper as:

Nguyen, C. N., Tho, A., & Nguyen, T. B. (2024). Understanding generation Z’s job engagement and performance in generationally diverse workplace. Ho Chi Minh City Open University Journal of Science – Economics and Business Administration, 14(2), 93-108. doi:10.46223/HCMCOUJS.econ.en.14.2.2633.2024

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.econ.en.14.2.2633.2024