A Systematic Literature Review on Workplace Expectations and Behavioral Characteristics of Generation Z Employees

Yohanes Agung Wahyu Nugroho, Bonita Eka Dama Yanti, Felik Haryanto

Abstract


Generation Z, born after 1995, now constitutes a significant portion of the workforce. They have different expectations and behaviors than previous generations. To identify the workplace expectations and behavioral characteristics of Generation Z, this study reviewed 27 empirical articles published between 2016 and 2025. The results show that Generation Z highly values flexibility, work-life balance, and meaningful work. In addition, they are more responsive to participatory, open, and inclusive leadership styles. If they do not feel valued or emotionally connected to a company, they are more likely to leave it due to the situation. The results suggest that leadership strategies and organizational policies must be adjusted to the values of Generation Z.

Generasi Z, yang lahir setelah tahun 1995, sekarang merupakan bagian penting dari angkatan kerja. Mereka memiliki ekspektasi dan perilaku yang berbeda dari generasi sebelumnya. Untuk mengidentifikasi ekspektasi tempat kerja dan karakteristik perilaku Generasi Z, studi ini meninjau 27 artikel empiris yang diterbitkan antara tahun 2016 dan 2025. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa Generasi Z sangat menghargai fleksibilitas, keseimbangan dalam kehidupan kerja, dan pekerjaan yang bermakna. Selain itu, mereka lebih responsif terhadap gaya kepemimpinan yang partisipatif, terbuka, dan inklusif. Jika mereka tidak merasa dihargai atau terhubung secara emosional dengan perusahaan, mereka cenderung meninggalkannya karena situasi. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa strategi kepemimpinan dan kebijakan organisasi harus disesuaikan dengan nilai Generasi Z.


Keywords


Generation Z, job expectations, organizational behavior, leadership, Systematic Literature Review

Full Text:

FULL TEXT

References


Andrea, B., Gabriella, H. C., & Tímea, J. (2016). Y and Z generations at workplaces. Journal of Competitiveness, 8(3), 90–106. https://doi.org/10.7441/joc.2016.03.06

Arno, E. (2024). Redefining the office.

Barhate, B., & Dirani, K. M. (2022). Career aspirations of generation Z: a systematic literature review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(1–2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2020-0124

Baša, K., Machová, R., Baša, P., & Doležaiová, V. (2023). Comparative Analysis of the Workplace Expectations of Generations Y and Z. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica, 20(3), 211–230. https://doi.org/10.12700/APH.20.3.2023.3.13

Bredbenner, J. (2020). Generation Z: A Study Of Its Workplace Communication Behaviors And Future Preferences. May, 1–23. https://soar.wichita.edu/handle/10057/18832%09

Chillakuri, B. (2020). Understanding Generation Z expectations for effective onboarding. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(7), 1277–1296. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-02-2020-0058

De Chlarence, J., Shanmugam, R., & Rajeswari, P. (2022). Generation Z at the workplace. NeuroQuantology, 20(5), 3717–3729. https://doi.org/10.14704/nq.2022.20.5.NQ22669

Dick, S. D. (2019). A Study of the Generational Differences in Work Values of Generations X, Y, and Z. Northcentral University, 1–15. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2008.06.005%0Ahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/305320484_SISTEM_PEMBETUNGAN_TERPUSAT_STRATEGI_MELESTARI

Fan, P., Zhang, H., Yang, S., Yu, Z., & Guo, M. (2023). Do Illegitimate Tasks Lead to Work Withdrawal Behavior among Generation Z Employees in China? The Role of Perceived Insider Status and Overqualification. Behavioral Sciences, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090702

Janssen, D., & Carradini, S. (2021). Generation Z Workplace Communication Habits and Expectations. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 64(2), 137–153. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPC.2021.3069288

Katsaros, K. K. (2024). Gen Z Employee Adaptive Performance: The Role of Inclusive Leadership and Workplace Happiness. Administrative Sciences, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14080163

Ke, Y. (2024). Paternalistic Leadership and Counterproductive Work Behavior : Mediating Role of Leader Identification and Moderating Effect of Traditionality in Chinese Generation Z Employees. 1–15.

Kompa, N. (2019). Generation Z , Employee Enagement And Leadership Communication Behaviors. University of New England, 1–57.

Leslie, B., Anderson, C., Bickham, C., Horman, J., Overly, A., Gentry, C., Callahan, C., & King, J. (2021). Generation Z Perceptions of a Positive Workplace Environment. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 33(3), 171–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-021-09366-2

Mahmoud, A. B., Fuxman, L., Mohr, I., Reisel, W. D., & Grigoriou, N. (2021). “We aren’t your reincarnation!” workplace motivation across X, Y and Z generations. International Journal of Manpower, 42(1), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-09-2019-0448

Maloni, M., Hiatt, M. S., & Campbell, S. (2019). Understanding the work values of Gen Z business students. International Journal of Management Education, 17(3), 100320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2019.100320

Martin, C. (2024). GEN Z & WORKPLACE ENGAGEMENT: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN GENERATIONAL VALUES AND WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS. ADLER UNIVERSITY DISSERTATION, 1–76.

Pichler, S., Kohli, C., & Granitz, N. (2021). DITTO for Gen Z: A framework for leveraging the uniqueness of the new generation. Business Horizons, 64(5), 599–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.021

Priorities, S., In, E., New, T. H. E., & Of, W. (2024). Business economics & management. 25.

Rani, S., & Suneja, A. (2025). From Digitalization to Sustainability : Understanding Workplace Expectations of Generation Z. 21(1), 19–32.

Reddy, A. S., Rudraraju, V., & Chandramouli, S. (2024). UNDERSTANDING GEN Z ’ S WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS : A FOCUS ON HYDERABAD AND RANGA REDDY DISTRICTS. 12(6), 57–62.

Richa Vairagi, V. J. (2024). SHAPING A GEN Z WORKPLACE EXPECTATION – A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK. 04(06), 1811–1914.

Schroth, H. (2019). Are you ready for gen Z in the workplace? California Management Review, 61(3), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125619841006

Sharma, P. (2021). Workplace Expectations of GenZ towards Factors of Motivation Metro Rail Services Ahmedabad View project Workplace Expectations of GenZ towards Factors of Motivation View project. UGC Care Journal, July. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353362324

Surugiu, C., Surugiu, M. R., Grădinaru, C., & Grigore, A. M. (2025). Factors Motivating Generation Z in the Workplace: Managerial Challenges and Insights. Administrative Sciences, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15010029

Urgal, L., Advisor, S., & Ostermeier, K. (2023). The Future of the Workforce Depends on Generation Z: A Study on Generational Workforce Preferences. Bryant Digital Repository. https://digitalcommons.bryant.edu/honors_management/46/

Xueyun, Z., Al Mamun, A., Masukujjaman, M., Rahman, M. K., Gao, J., & Yang, Q. (2023). Modelling the significance of organizational conditions on quiet quitting intention among Gen Z workforce in an emerging economy. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42591-3




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30872/psikostudia.v14i3.19486

Refbacks



Copyright (c) 2025 Yohanes Agung Wahyu Nugroho, Bonita Eka Dama Yanti, Felik Haryanto

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

 

Indexing by :

         

_________________________________________

PSIKOSTUDIA: Jurnal Psikologi Published by Faculty of Social and Political Siences, University of Mulawarman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan and This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

 _________________________________________

PSIKOSTUDIA: Jurnal Psikologi

Department of Psychology
Faculty of Social and Political Siences, University of Mulawarman
Jl. Muara Muntai Kampus Gn. Kelua Samarinda 75411
Phone: +62 813 35350368
E-Mail: psikostudia@fisip.unmul.ac.id