Skip to main content

The Cognitive Technology Revolution: A New Identity for Workers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Digital HR

Abstract

Framing the socio-cultural and economic revolution brought about by cognitive technologies, the chapter aims to discuss the redefinition of workers’ identities and the meaning they attach to work. Yet, authoritative studies in the field show that work experience represents a symbolic space for the development of personal and social identity. The emergence of new technology-based working modalities, more rapidly diffused after the pandemic, has concretely redesigned the role played by people at work. Moreover, this change is also framed within the discussion about an unavoidable clash between different generations of workers (namely baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z) who are animated by different values, different expectations, and technological skills. Therefore, the chapter discusses challenges and potentialities associated with this revolution, highlighting how the questions posed by technologies will also impose a redefinition of HRM practices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arthur, M., & Rousseau, D. (1996). The Boundaryless career. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannon, S., Ford, K., & Meltzer, L. (2011). Understanding millennials in the workplace. The CPA Journal, 81(11), 61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barhate, B., & Dirani, K. M. (2022). Career aspirations of generation Z: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(1/2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2020-0124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnard, R., Cosgrove, D., & Welsh, J. (1998). Chips & Pop: Decoding the nexus generation. Malcolm Lester Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, Y. (2004). Transforming careers: From linear to multidirectional career paths: Organizational and individual perspectives. Career Development International, 9(1), 58–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, Y., & Bozionelos, N. (2011). Career issues. In S. Zedeck (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 67–113). American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bascha. (2011). Z: The open source generation. Retrieved from http://opensource.com/business/11/9/z-open-source-generation

  • Becton, J., Walker, H., & Jones-Farmer, A. (2014). Generational differences in workplace behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 44(3), 175–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benitez-Marquez, M. D., Sanchez-Teba, E. M., Bermudez-Gonzalez, G., & Nunez-Rydman, E. S. (2022). Generation Z within the workforce and in the workplace: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 6415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brack, J., & Kelly, K. (2012). Maximizing millennials in the workplace. UNC Executive Development, 22(1), 2–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridge, T. (2015). 5 ways the workplace needs to change to get the most out of generation Z. Retrieved from http://www.fastcoexist.com/3049848/5-ways-the-workplaceneeds-to-change-to-get-the-most-out-of-generation-z

  • Briscoe, J., & Finkelstein, L. (2009). The “new career” and organizational commitment: Do boundaryless and protean attitudes make a difference? Career Development International, 14(3), 242–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooke, L., & Taylor, P. (2005). Older workers and employment: Managing age relations. Aging & Society, 25(3), 415–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, R., & Ng, E. (2006). The changing nature of work and organizations: Implications for human resource management. Human Resource Management Review, 16, 86–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capelli, P. (1999). Career jobs are dead. California Management Review, 42(1), 146–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadhuri, S., & Ghosh, R. (2012). Reverse mentoring: A social exchange tool for keeping the boomers engaged and millennials committed. Human Resource Development Review, 11(1), 55–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalofsky, N., & Cavallaro, L. (2013). A good living versus A good life meaning, purpose, and HRD. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 15(4), 331–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, W., Chan, A., Snape, E., & Rendman, T. (2001). Age stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes towards older workers: An East–West comparison. Human Relations, 54(5), 629–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chudzikowki, K. (2012). Career transitions and career success in the ‘new’ career era. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(2), 298–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cogin, J. (2012). Are generational differences in work values fact or fiction? Multi-country evidence and implications. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 23(11), 2268–2294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coyle-Shapiro, J. A. M., Pereira Costa, S., Doden, W., & Chang, C. (2019). Psychological contracts: Past, present, and future. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 145–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Hauw, S., & De Vos, A. (2010). Millennials’ career perspective and psychological contract expectations: Does the recession Lead to lowered expectations? Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 293–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deal, J., Altman, D., & Rogelberg, S. (2010). Millennials at work: What we know and what we need to do (if anything). Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 191–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing, K. (2006). Next generation: What leaders need to know about the millennials. Leadership in Action, 26(3), 3–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • England, G., & Whitely, W. (1990). Cross-national meanings of working. In A. P. Brief & W. R. Nord (Eds.), Meanings of occupational work (pp. 65–106). Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, D., & Ng, T. (2007). Careers: Mobility, embeddedness, and success. Journal of Management, 33, 350–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, H., & Davis, K. (2013). The app generation: How today’s youth navigate identity, intimacy, and imagination in a digital world. Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. (2011). The millennials: A new generation of employees, a new set of engagement policies. Ivey Business Journal: Improving the Practice of Management, September–October, 1–3. Retrieved from http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/the-workplace/the-millennials-a-new-generation-of-employees-a-new-set-of-engagement-policies

  • Gong, B., & Sims, R. L. (2023). Psychological contract breach during the pandemic: How an abrupt transition to a work from home schedule impacted the employment relationship. Journal of Business Research, 154, 113–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, V. M. (2016). Clash of the generations: Managing the new workplace reality. John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guszcza, J., Lewis, H., & Evans-Greenwood, P. (2017). Cognitive collaboration why humans and computers think better together. Deloitte University Press. Available at https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/deloitte-review/issue-20/augmented-intelligence-human-computer-collaboration.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris-Boundy, J., & Flatt, S. J. (2010). Cooperative performance of millennials in teams. Review of Business Research, 10, 30–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heilman, M. (2012). Gender stereotypes and workplace bias. Research in Organizational Behavior, 32, 113–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershatter, A., & Epstein, M. (2010). Millennials and the world of work: An organization and management perspective. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 211–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, L. A. (2008). Where will we find tomorrow’s leaders? Harvard Business Review, 23, 123–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, D. (2014). Understanding multigenerational work-value conflict resolution. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 29(3), 240–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hite, L. M., & McDonald, K. S. (2020). Careers after COVID-19: Challenges and changes. Human Resource Development International, 23(4), 427–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, H. C., & Yeung, D. Y. (2021). Conflict between younger and older workers: An identity-based approach. International Journal of Conflict Management, 32(1), 102–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, N., & Stauss, W., (2007). The next 20 years. How customer and workforce attitudes will evolve. Harvard Business Review, July–August, 41–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials rising: The next great generation. Vintage Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inkson, K., Gunz, H., Ganesh, S., & Roper, J. (2012). Boundaryless careers: Bringing Back boundaries. Organization Studies, 33(3), 323–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, A. (2000). Hiring generation X. Journal of Accountancy, Feb, 55–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurkiewicz, C., & Brown, R. (1998). Generational comparisons of public employee motivation. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 18(4), 18–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, Z., Burke, S., & Pemberton, J. (2005). The ‘bounded’ career: An empirical study of human capital, career mobility and employment outcomes in a mediated labour market. Human Relations, 58(8), 981–1007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knoll. (2014). What comes after Y? Generation Z: Arriving to the office soon. Retrieved from https://www.knoll.com/media/340/742/Infographic_Generation_Z_3pgs.pdf.

  • Konrad, A. (2006). Leveraging workplace diversity in organizations. Organization Management Journal, 3(3), 164–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowske, B., Rasch, R., & Wiley, J. (2010). Millennials’ (lack of) attitude problem: An empirical examination of generational effects on work attitudes. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 265–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupperschmidt, B. (2000). Multigeneration employees: Strategies for effective management. The Healthcare Manager, 19(1), 65–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, L., & Stillman, D. (2003). When generations collide: How to solve the generational puzzle at work. Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, A. (2010). Millennials and the world of work: An Economist’s perspective. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 257–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, P., & Fuiks, K. (2021). How COVID-19 is shifting psychological contracts within organizations. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 14(1–2), 45–49. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2021.59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loughlin, C., & Barling, J. (2001). Young workers' work values, attitudes, and behaviours. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 74(4), 543–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, S., Schweitzer, L., & Ng, E. (2015). How have careers changed? An investigation of changing career patterns across four generations. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 30(1), 8–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, S., Schweitzer, L., Ng, E., & Kuron, L. (2012). Comparing apples to apples: A qualitative investigation of career mobility patterns across four generations. Career Development International, 17(4), 333–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macky, K., Gardner, D., & Forsyth, S. (2008). Generational differences at work: Introduction and overview. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(8), 857–861.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, C. A. (2005). From high maintenance to high productivity: What managers need to know about generation Y. Industrial and Commercial Training, 37, 39–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meaning of Working Research Team. (1987). The meaning of working. Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monster Multi Generational Survey (2022). Move over, Millennials: What you’ll need to know for hiring as Gen Z enters the workforce. Retrieved from https://www.dfwtrn.org/resources/Pictures/monster_genz_report.pdf

  • Morris, M., & Venkatesh, V. (2000). Age differences in technology adoption decisions: Implications for a changing work force. Personnel Psychology, 53(2), 375–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moses, B. (1997). Career intelligence: Mastering the new work and personal realities. Stoddard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A. (2011). Mind the gap: Technology, millennial leadership and the cross-generational workforce. The Australian Library Journal, 60(1), 54–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, K., & Sadaghiani, K. (2010). Millennials in the workplace: A communication perspective on millennials’ organizational relationships and performance. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 225–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, E., Schweitzer, L., & Lyons, S. (2010). New generation, great expectations: A field study of the millennial generation. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2), 281–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, T., & Feldman, D. (2012). Evaluating six common stereotypes about older workers with meta-analytical data. Personnel Psychology, 65(4), 821–858.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orliwoski, W. (2007). Sociomaterial practices: Exploring technology at work. Organization Studies, 28(9), 1435–1448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry, E., & Urwin, P. (2011). Generational differences in work values: A Review of theory and evidence. International Journal of Management Review, 13, 79–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakovic, L., Sakal, M., & Matkovic, P. (2022). Digital workplace–advantages and challenges. Anali Ekonomskog fakulteta u Subotici, 58(47), 65–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawlins, C., Indvik, J., & Johnson, P. (2008). Understanding the new generation: What the millennial cohort absolutely, positively must have at work. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications and Conflict, 12(2), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberson, Q. M. (2019). Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6, 69–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph, C. W., Allan, B., Clark, M., Hertel, G., Hirschi, A., Kunze, F., ... & Zacher, H. (2021). Pandemics: Implications for research and practice in industrial and organizational psychology. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 14(1–2), 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Quintanilla, S., & Claes, R. (2001). Mow research programs. In J. Katz & A. Corbett (Eds.), Databases for the study of entrepreneurship. Advances in entrepreneurship, firm emergence and growth (Vol. 4, pp. 335–339). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schawbel, D. (2014). Gen Z employees: The 5 attributes you need to know. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236560

  • Schein, E. H. (2006). Career anchors: Discovering your real values. Pfeifer and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroth, H. (2019). Are you ready for gen Z in the workplace? California Management Review, 61(3), 5–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J., Collins, L., Stockton, H., Wagner, D., & Walsh, B. (2017). The future of work: The augmented workforce 2017 global human capital trends. Deloitte University Press. Available at https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/focus/human-capital-trends/2017/future-workforce-changing-nature-of-work.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Silla, I., Gracia, F., & Peiro, J. (2005). Job insecurity and health-related outcomes among different types of temporary workers. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 26(1), 89–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slavin, A. (2015). Marketers: Forget about millennials. Gen Z has arrived. Retrieved from http://women2.com/2015/08/07/engage-gen-z-users/?hvid=5LyrgK [2].

  • Smola, K., & Sutton, C. (2002). Generational differences: Revisiting generational work values for the new millennium. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(4), 363–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S., & Arthur, M. (2006). The evolution of the boundaryless career concept: Examining physical and psychological mobility. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69(1), 19–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S. E. (1999). The changing nature of careers: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management, 25, 457–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S. E., & Baruch, Y. (2009). Advances in career theory and research: A critical review and agenda for future exploration. Journal of Management, 35, 1542–1571.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sverke, M., & Hellgren, J. (2002). The nature of job insecurity: Understanding employment uncertainty on the brink of a new millennium. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 51(1), 23–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, F., & Hoefel, F. (2018). ‘True gen’: Generation Z and its implications for companies. McKinsey Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Consumer%20Packaged%20Goods/Our%20Insights/True%20Gen%20Generation%20Z%20and%20its%20implications%20for%20companies/Generation-Z-and-its-implication-for-companies.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Trzesniewski, K., Donnellan, M., & Robins, R. (2008). Is “generation me” really more narcissistic than previous generations? Journal of Personality, 76(4), 903–918.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twenge, J. (2010). A Review of the empirical evidence on generational differences in work attitudes. Journal of Business Psychology, 25, 201–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twenge, J., Campbell, S., Hoffman, B., & Lance, C. (2010). Generational differences in work values: Leisure and extrinsic values. Increasing, social and intrinsic values decreasing. Journal of Management, 36(5), 1117–1142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Dalen, H., Henkens, K., & Schippers, J. (2009). Dealing with older workers in Europe: A comparative survey of employers’ attitudes and actions. Journal of European Social Policy, 19, 47–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J. C. (2019). Millennials in the workplace: Mystery or magic? Dispute Resolution Journal, 74(1), 111–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, H., & Miller, P. (2005). Leadership style: The X generation and babyboomers compared in different cultural contexts. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 26(1), 35–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemke, R., Raines, C., & Filipczak, B. (2000). Generations at work: Managing the clash of veterans, boomers, Xers, and Nexters in your workplace. AMACOM.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amelia Manuti .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Manuti, A., de Palma, P.D. (2023). The Cognitive Technology Revolution: A New Identity for Workers. In: Digital HR. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43563-8_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics