The digital employee experience. Discovering generation Z

Nowadays, organizations face the co-presence of three generations of workers (“baby boomers”, Xers and Yers). However, another generation will join the workforce in the next years: the generation Z. Accordingly, companies must be able to understand their characteristics and expectations, in order to manage their generation mix. This study aims to fulfill a consistent gap in the extant literature, also providing important managerial implications, when formulating three propositions: (a) there are specific aspects which Zers give more importance when choosing their job; (b) the use of technology and the typology of technological devices characterize the digital employee experience of the generation Z; and (c) the entry of the new generation of workers has an impact on diversity management practices within organizations. After a comprehensive review of the literature, we analyze and discuss the results of a survey among 298 young people, belonging to the generation Z. The findings reveal both a universal profile of the future generation of workers, together with their digital behaviors.