Transition to Management: Experience of Generation Z

The study focuses on first-time managers who represent a group of employees with a unique set of challenges and potential to contribute to the organization. Research on first-time managers began almost 30 years ago; however, empirical studies are limited. Today, a new cohort of generation Z employees have started entering the workplace and occupy their first managerial positions. Using phenomenological approach, the study answers the question of how employees of generation Z experience their first promotion to managerial positions. Twelve participants, of whom eight were men and four were women, were selected using snowball and criteria sampling strategies. Using an interview guide, interviews with these first-time managers were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. During this analysis, 1050 codes were clustered into 51 patterns, which were merged to 11 themes. Integrity measures include member-checking, thick description, triangulation, pilot interview, confidentiality and back translation. The study findings could be put into three groups: 1) supporting prior research, 2) challenging prior research and 3) findings that emerged as new. We have found that generation Z employees experience first promotion to managerial position differently rather than employees of older generation. They build relationships with subordinate and their management easier, approach work in a much more proactive way, and are driven by their interest. Based on these findings, implications for organizations, universities, and future research are suggested.