Abstract
This research explores the relationship between generational differences, economic conditions, rural-urban differences, and 5 dimensions of work ethics (self-resilience, morality/ethics, leisure, hard work, and centrality of work). Online questionnaire results from 620 Chinese post-80s, the 90s, and 00s show that age differences bring no significant impact on the work ethics dimensions except for leisure and centrality of work. The younger generations more value their non-work activities than their work. In terms of economic conditions, it has a positive relationship with all the 5 dimensions of work ethics, except for leisure which is the reverse aspect of the others. In terms of rural-urban differences, individuals from rural areas show higher self-reliance and centrality to work, but no significant differences are found in other dimensions. In the concluding section, the theoretical and practical contributions are discussed, with limitations and suggestions for future research.