Motivation of Generation Y Members working in their Parents’ Businesses

Abstract

This article looks at the working expectations and motivations of Generation Y members working in their parents’ businesses. The goal of this article is to identify how the working expectations and motivations of Generation Y members working in their parents’ businesses differ from the working expectations and motivations of Generation Y overall. Qualitative research design and in-depth unstructured interviews with 31 respondents were used to obtain the opinions of Generation Y members working in their parents’ businesses. Three main dimensions of working motivation were surveyed: the reasons for entering a family business, what work in a family business means, and general motivation to work. The principal findings of the article are the importance of work-life balance, flexibility, the opportunity for career development and the drive to continue one’s family tradition for Generation Y members working in their parents’ businesses. A sample of respondents added that they expect to be more involved in the operation of the family business in the future. A sample of our respondents also expected to be more involved in the operation of the family business in the future.