DECODING DIGITAL NATIVES: GEN Z'S WORK VALUES, ETHICAL PREFERENCES, AND THEIR IMPACT ON ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Abstract

This paper examines the work values, ethical preferences, and organizational culture influences of Generation Z in the emerging economies. This study, based on empirical research in Malaysia, Turkey, China, Eastern Europe, Brazil, India, and Serbia, summarizes research on how digital natives transform the dynamics of the workplace in emerging economic settings. The analysis shows that Gen Z values independence, life-work balance, moral alignment, and technological adoption and exhibits increased demands on transparency and corporate social responsibility. Companies operating in the developing economies will need to adjust their cultural constructs to these preferences or face more turnover and disengagement. The article adds to the cross-cultural management literature by emphasizing the context-related expressions of generational values and offers practical advice to organizational leaders who have to go through workforce transitions.