Work Commitments of Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers in the it Profession: Generational Differences or Myth?

Examination of generational differences in the work commitments of Baby Boomer and Gen-X information technology (IT) professionals suggests that these generations of IT professionals are more homogeneous than different.

Abstract

The study presented in this paper examines generational (age-cohort) differences in the work commitments of Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1962) and Gen-X (born between 1963 and 1981) information technology (IT) professionals. Data were obtained from 382 IT workers in 23 state agencies and universities. The work commitments examined include work involvement, job involvement, work group attachment, organizational commitment and professional commitment. Contrary to profiles of these two generations common in the popular and business press, results suggest that the work commitments of these generations of IT professionals are more homogeneous than different. Implications for research and for IT management are offered.