Work ethic in Ecuador: an analysis of the differences in four generational cohorts

Abstract: Organizations face the challenge of managing a multigenerational workforce with unique characteristics that differ in the value they place on their work. The younger generation has been incorporated into the labour market recently and consequently it is essential to study their different attitudes toward work by comparing them with previous generations. The purpose of this research is to analyze, through the Protestant Ethic, the difference in attitudes towards work of four generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z). A sample of 624 Ecuadorian participants which comprised: BB 11.2 %; 11.2 % GX, GY 58.5 % and GZ 19.1 %, was pooled by cohort. The Questionnaire Multidimensional Work Ethic (MWEP) was applied. The results showed that the BB and GX have a greater belief about the importance of work, and a tolerance towards the unproductive use of working time, when compared with generations Y and Z. In postponing rewards, the GZ generation showed scores higher than those obtained by the BB, GX and GY generations. No significant differences were found in the dimensions of Self-Reliance, Leisure and Morality-Ethics.