Theoretical and empirical perspective on generation theory in the hotel industry in Norway

Abstract

This study investigates in people’s perceptions of generations and personal experiences, meaning, and thoughts in hotel industry. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to have a deeper understanding and respondents were leaders in the industry and students who are entering the workforce in a short time. Because of Covid-19 there were some changes during the process so instead of face-to face interviews I decided to have telephone interviews. Therefore, respondents are from Norway and not a specific area in the country. Results show there are differences in perceptions of career. Further, there are differences related to self-actualization. Respondents from GenY are students which base their career on education and further want to develop for a position. On the other hand, Generation X associate career with title and salary. These findings can be dominated because of generation cohort and position in life. Personality traits were a topic the respondents agree and there were similarities in the data. Self-actualization is also different across generations and based on where individuals are in life. GenY are eager to challenges and try new things while Generation X are established with habits and experience. Even though, there are both similarities and differences in the hotel industry all respondents agree on importance of different generations to complement each other. Earlier research claim there are bigger differences than empirical perspective show. There are more in common than differences and understand generations is valuable to create a good working environment. It is also important to point out how leaders and students gave hint to each other for improvement of the hotel industry. With investigation on each individual and generations this can contribute for openness towards generations and hint can prepare both leaders and students in the hotel industry.