Satisfaction with work and person–environment fit: are there intergenerational differences? An examination through person–job, person–group and person–supervisor fit

Abstract

Purpose

Through three dimensions of person–environment (PE) fit, namely person–job (PJ) fit, person–group (PG) fit and person–supervisor (PS) fit, this paper examines generational differences on which dimension is more important to explain Baby Boomers', Generation X's and Generation Y's satisfaction with work.

Design/methodology/approach

Gathered from a sample of 1,065 employees in the province of Québec, Canada, data were analyzed through one-way ANOVA and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings suggest that Generation X scored lower on satisfaction with work, that there is a difference in the level of PG fit and PS fit between the generations, and that PJ fit explains satisfaction with work for all generations, while PG fit is significant only for Generation Y employees.

Practical implications

This paper sheds light on the importance for practitioners, when implementing human resource (HR) policies and strategies aiming to increase satisfaction with work, of prioritizing PJ fit and to consider PG fit for Generation Y members.

Originality/value

This research provides a meaningful contribution to current knowledge on generational diversity in the workplace and its impact on managerial practices by examining different levels of satisfaction with work and of PJ, PG and PS fit for three generations and the importance of each type of fit in explaining satisfaction with work for theses generations.

Citation

Deschênes, A.-A. (2021), "Satisfaction with work and person–environment fit: are there intergenerational differences? An examination through person–job, person–group and person–supervisor fit", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 60-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-02-2020-0025