Do generational differences in the drivers of job satisfaction really matter?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17561/ree.n1.2027.10351Palabras clave:
job satisfaction, determinants of job satisfaction, TWISA, workforce segmentation, generational differencesResumen
Job satisfaction is a key organizational construct that significantly influences employee performance, as well as talent attraction and retention. This study examines generational differences in job satisfaction across Europe, analyzing whether Baby Boomers and Generations X, Y, and Z differ both in their levels of job satisfaction and in their main determinants. Therefore, it contributes to the ongoing debate on the relevance of generational distinctions in the workplace. The analysis is based on data from the European Social Survey (2020–2022, Round 10), comprising a sample of 21,349 employees from 31 European countries and multiple sectors. Using an adaptation of the TWISA model as a theoretical framework, ANOVA and regression analyses are conducted to assess differences across generational cohorts in job satisfaction and its explanatory factors. The results reveal small generational differences in several working conditions, such as autonomy, work schedule flexibility, influence on policy decisions, and supervisor work-life support, while no differences are observed in job satisfaction or team identification. However, these factors appear to operate similarly across generations, as no statistically significant differences are detected in their effects on job satisfaction. Team identification and supervisor work-life support consistently emerge as the most relevant predictors of job satisfaction across all generations, providing additional support for the relational mechanisms proposed in the original TWISA framework despite the conceptual adaptations introduced in this study. These findings provide empirical evidence for an ongoing debate in the literature and offer practical guidance for designing human resource management strategies aimed at improving job satisfaction.
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Derechos de autor 2026 Willem Verbeke, María Vallespín-Arán, Elena Cruz Ruíz, Jesús Molina-Gómez, José Manuel Núñez-Sánchez
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