Generational Differences Under Scrutiny: Issues and Implications for HRD

Problem Despite the longstanding popularity of generational analysis, its validity is still questionable, and potential methodological flaws, such as conflating age and life cycle effects, remain unresolved. In HRD research, there is a tendency to unquestioningly adopt established generation-based thinking, which imposes risks of oversimplification and stereotyping. Solution HRD researchers and practitioners should be mindful of the dangers and difficulties associated with generalization and stereotyping based on generation. They should apply generational categories with greater caution, understanding the confounding influence of age and life cycle and preserving the original aim of generational research: to understand individual differences. Stakeholders Human resource development researchers and practitioners, and broadly, scholars from other disciplines who research topics related to generation.