Abstract We explored in this study how business analytics can be used to learn about and enhance the participation of Generation Z workers in modern organizations. Generation Z, also known as digital natives, are entering the global workforce with unique attributes developed from the constant exposure to technology, sociality, and fast-paced work environments. In contrast to previous generations, they show greater demands for flexibility in the workplace, autonomy, purposeful work, and technology-facilitated collaboration. As firms struggle to keep young workers, Gen Z engagement is both an academic imperative and a management need to study. The research is underpinned by work engagement theories, namely Kahn's engagement theory and the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, supplemented with social exchange theory to account for mutual relations between employees and firms. By combining these frameworks with digital workplace phenomena, the research investigates how prevailing psychological constructs such as Vigor, dedication, and absorption need to be re-framed to accommodate technology-mediated behaviors. We used a mixed-methods strategy incorporating quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was captured using structured surveys and digital traces from 450 Gen Z staff in five industries: technology, services, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. Qualitative data was captured using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Statistical methods, such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), were used to determine predictors of engagement, while thematic interview data analysis placed numerical trends into context. Our results indicated that Gen Z engagement functions through a dual-pathway model: one pathway centered on classic engagement drivers like significant work, career advancement opportunities, and leadership support, and the second pathway based on digital integration factors such as technology usage, virtual teams, and real-time feedback mechanisms. Hybrid work arrangements proved to be the optimum arrangement, with autonomy balanced against organizational connectedness. The more highly engaged employees had tangible business results, such as lower turnover intentions, enhanced performance, and greater innovation levels. The importance of this research is its theoretical contribution to the literature on employee engagement, its practical application to HR managers, and its contextual realization in the Indian and global workforce. It stresses the need for merging business analytics with engagement tactics to satisfy Gen Z expectations while providing sustainable organizational value. Keywords Generation Z work engagement; HR business analytics; Digital natives in the workplace;Flexibility in the workplace; Career development metrics; Perceived meaningful work; Recognition and feedback systems.
Krishna et al. (Fri,) studied this question.