Sustainable Human Resource Management and Generation Z in Japan What does the Japanese Generation Z value in work-life?

Abstract

This study is about Generation Z in Japan and their work-life related values. The background for studying this generation and focusing on Japan is the historical background of Japanese work-life culture and the expectations the general theory of Generation Z as it applies to their future employers. Whitin management, the base theory around organizational development and employee attractiveness is human resources management. Sustainable human resource management is the most recent theory. This is analyzed in combination with the theories of Generation Z. To further understand the Japanese aspect of this, Postmodernism and the Senpai-Kouhai Relationship theory were used. The chosen method used to collect data was a combination of a quantitative questionnaire anddeeper qualitative interviews. All questions were given both in English and Japanese to deepen the understanding of the underlying values of the respondents. The study shows the complexity of this generation’s values in the Japanese environment. It both confirms that their values follow the theoretical assumptions as well as indicates variations created by the Japanese culture.