The context‐specific categorization of generations: An exploratory study based on the collective memories of the active workforce of Pakistan

This study represents the first‐ever attempt to explore the feasibility of region‐specific application of the theory of generations in the context of Pakistan. Building upon the Schuman and Scott's (1989) historical method of identification of the predominant events from the coming‐of‐age era o...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of public affairs 2021-08, Vol.21 (3), p.n/a
Hauptverfasser: Shaikh, Aliya Ahmad, Jamal, Warda Najeeb, Iqbal, Syed Muhammad Javed
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:This study represents the first‐ever attempt to explore the feasibility of region‐specific application of the theory of generations in the context of Pakistan. Building upon the Schuman and Scott's (1989) historical method of identification of the predominant events from the coming‐of‐age era of various age groups through the study of the collective memories of various age groups, in this study, primarily, a qualitative methodology was deployed across three (3) focus group discussions involving 50 academicians and industrial experts to ascertain the presence or otherwise of distinct workplace generations of Pakistan. The discussions were centred on participant's recollection of the socio‐economic, political and technologically significant events that happened during their coming‐of‐age era and the way it impacted the formation of unique characteristics of each generation. These events thus served as the generational pointers which led to the indication towards the presence of three distinct Pakistani generational cohorts as Pakistani Baby Boomer Generation, Pakistani Generation X, and Pakistani Millennials/Generation Y who are currently comprising the workforce of Punjab, which is the second‐largest and most developed province of the country. In the second paper of this series, it is anticipated that a larger quantitative investigation may well open the pathway to the generalization of these findings in support of the context‐specific application of the theory of generations. The generational profiling emanating from this study has strong implications for the HR practitioners concerning the design of generationally tailored HR policies such that the generational differences are mitigated through various diversity and inclusion initiatives.
ISSN:1472-3891
1479-1854
DOI:10.1002/pa.2641