Managing the diverse potential of university staff by motivating their development
Abstract
Research objectives (aims) and problem(s): The study focuses on factors that motivate and support the personal potential of university employees. The aim of the research is to identify these factors in the generations represented by the respondents. Another objective is to determine university managers’ courses of action for developing strategies to motivate and support the growth of academic teachers from different generations. The main research problem was formulated as follows: What factors motivate and support employees from different generations (Baby Boomers and Generations X, Y, and Z) in the workplace?
Research methods: The research was conducted as a quantitative study. The method used was a survey conducted by means of a questionnaire using convenience sampling. A pilot study involving 198 teachers was conducted at universities in Poland in March 2025. As the study focused on generational differences, the respondents were grouped into four generational groups.
Process of argumentation: Polish literature lacks publications on the subject in question. This allows us to assume that the results presented herein are innovative and fill a gap in the research regarding motivating and supporting different generations of university teachers.
Research findings and their impact on the development of educational sciences: The study reveals generational differences among academic teachers in expected motivations and support in the workplace. For Baby Boomers and Generation Y, personal development opportunities and employment stability were the most important; for Generation Z, it was flexible working hours and promotion/recognition opportunities; and for Generation X, it was flexible working hours and employment stability.
Conclusions and/or recommendations: Further in-depth investigations are required to diagnose the situation of academic staff members and introduce adequate motivating and support solutions.
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