What matters most for Indian Generation Y employees? An empirical study based on work-values

Abstract

The workplace is undergoing a major generational change as the baby boomer generation retires and younger generations replace them. Each generation brings with it a set of work values; the work values of Generation Y have been a focus of particular interest as this generation will soon form a significant proportion of the workforce. Even though Generation Y constitutes a large part of the Indian workforce, very little research has been done on this group. Using a sample of 1220 employees working in the Indian service industry, this study sets out to find the extent to which the work values of Generation Y in India are congruent with those of their global counterparts. The findings suggest that Indian employees value extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of work, and place less importance on social and prestige values; their work values are similar to those from Generation Y in the US and Slovenia, but differ significantly from those in Malaysia, Brazil, and Germany. The study provides valuable insights for international organizations where employees from various countries and cultural backgrounds work together, particularly when these involve Indian employees.