Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intellectual ...

The Arrival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Generation “Y”: The Managerial
Implications for French Health and Social Organizations
Bertrand Pauget 1 and Ahmed Dammak 2
1
Strategy & Management, <strong>the</strong> European Business School (EBS), Paris, France
2
Strategy & Management,Groupe ESC Troyes, Troyes, France
bertrandpauget@ebs-paris.com
ahmed.dammak@groupe-esc-troyes.com
Abstract: Generation “Y” applies to individuals born between 1977 and 1995. The emergence <strong>of</strong> this generation
has brought new rules and values to society. These differences go beyond <strong>the</strong> classic arguments between young
and old individuals and between traditional and modern ideals. More numerous than <strong>the</strong> preceding generation,
this generation will represent between 40 and 50 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French workforce by 2020. Several items have
been shown to alarm young people who appear rebellious to authority and can rapidly change <strong>the</strong>ir careers or
companies. If this future appears exaggerated, Generation Y” might be able to transform management and
human resources in health because <strong>of</strong> expectations that are different than those <strong>of</strong> previous generations, such as
<strong>the</strong> “Baby Boomers”.This qualitative research study attempted to describe and clarify <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> “generation”
before examining <strong>the</strong> various generations currently working in hospitals to better understand <strong>the</strong> particular
characteristics <strong>of</strong> Generation “Y”. The next step was to examine how this generation is likely to fundamentally
change hospital management.
Keywords: generational management, generation “y”, hospital, health and social systems, France
1. Introduction
We traditionally describe Generation “Y”, including people born between 1977 and 1995, as antiauthoritarian.
However, French social and health organizations have been built as pr<strong>of</strong>essional
bureaucracies based on strong leadership and <strong>of</strong>ten have directive management (Grenier 2006;
Pauget, 2006). The arrival <strong>of</strong> Generation “Y” should challenge current hospital management. In effect,
according to OECD figures, Generation “Y” will represent 40 to 50% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French workforce by <strong>the</strong>
end <strong>of</strong> this decade. This paper seeks to understand <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> managerial impact <strong>of</strong> Generation
“Y” on French social and health organizations.
However, Generation “Y” is not likely to adopt <strong>the</strong> radical posture encountered in <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional
literature (Tinlsey, 2008; Kimberly, 2009; Reinsewitz & Iyer, 2009). We considered <strong>the</strong> ideas <strong>of</strong>
Meister & Willyerd (2010), who suggested that <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> Generation “Y” is easier than
expected.
Stereotypes have gradually been formed about Generation “Y”, such as it is a generation that is antiauthoritarian,
objecting, demanding, and that wants everything right away. However, Generation “Y” is
also considered interconnected, innovative, and flexible. However, what defines a generation? The
encyclopedia Hachette views a generation as <strong>the</strong> “length <strong>of</strong> time between two degrees <strong>of</strong> descent
(about 30 years)”. However, generations are not based on biological data, but ra<strong>the</strong>r on sociologic
processes. A generation is defined by <strong>the</strong> distinct habits, idols, or pr<strong>of</strong>ound acts (for example, <strong>the</strong> May
1968 strike in Europe) <strong>of</strong> its predecessors.
Western societies generally distinguish <strong>the</strong> following generations:
The Baby Boomers (<strong>the</strong> generation born between 1945 and 1964)
Generation “X” (<strong>the</strong> generation born between 1965 and 1977; considered a transitional
generation)
Generation “Y” (<strong>the</strong> generation born between 1978 and 1995)
We found that generations have similar natures regarding contrast and opposition (young/old,
modernists/conformists), which allow each generation to be defined. Yet, in many ways, encounters
between <strong>the</strong> Baby Boomers and Generation “Y” appear to provoke difficulties beyond <strong>the</strong> traditional
feuds between generations.
These generations are rooted in conflicting cultural contexts: on one side (Baby-Boomers), a post-war
generation, recklessness, and prosperity; on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r (Generation “Y”), <strong>the</strong> AIDS generation -
globalized, but without <strong>the</strong> safe environment <strong>of</strong> a government protector.
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