Case Study: Social Psychology and Generational Shifts in Business

This case study examines the significance of social psychology within an organizational context, emphasizing its role in understanding employee behavior and aligning individual and group goals. It delves into the impact of generational shifts on workplace dynamics, highlighting potential conflicts, cooperation strategies, and decision-making processes among Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. The analysis further explores how these generations perceive issues of inequality, fairness, and discrimination in the workplace, revealing varied perspectives shaped by their respective backgrounds and experiences. The study underscores the importance of understanding and managing these differences to foster a cohesive and productive work environment, ultimately contributing to the organization's success.

STUDY CASE

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Understanding of how social psychology will explain organizational behaviour......................3
Potential conflicts, co- operation and decision making in generational shift.............................4
Relationship between different generation in relation with their perception towards inequality,
fairness and discrimination.........................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Social psychology within the company is very necessary to be understood as the
psychology of the organization. The organization psychology is referred to as the study of the
human behaviour within the company and the direction of the thinking of the employees working
within the company is in direction of attainment of group goal or not (Fiske, 2018). This
psychology also involves the study of workplace relation, attitude, beliefs which are present
among the employees within the company. The present report will outline the understanding the
social psychology and its impact over the working of company. Also, the report will outline the
potential conflict, decision making and cooperation of the generational shift. In the end the
relation between the generation in perception relating to fairness, equality and discrimination
will also be highlighted.
MAIN BODY
Understanding of how social psychology will explain organizational behaviour
Many of the different people belonging to the different cultures work together and
because of this it is possible that all the employees have different perception and thinking
relating to the work. Hence, it is necessary for the organization and the employees to work in
same direction and to have same and similar thinking and perception relating to the work so that
all the work is done in the same manner. This is necessary because if there will not be any
common direction then all the working of the company will be in different direction. Thus, it is
necessary for the business to understand the social psychology of all the employees so that there
is unity of direction to the work. This is necessary because of the reason that if the employees
will work in different direction then the aims and objectives of the company will not be attained.
Hence, it is essential for the people within the company to manage and maintain unity
among all the employees working within the company. In the current case study which is based
up on the fictional film Up in the Air also reflects the fact that generational differences and
conflicts within the business professional affects the working of the company to a great extent (6
contributing discipline to the organization behaviour field, 2017). Thus, it is very essential for
the company to handle the mentality and the thinking of the employees within the company. The
case study revealed that the survey done by the Ernest and Young (2003) states that the strength

and weakness of the employees as well as the manager of the different generation is different and
can be instructive as company has to make use of this generational mix in effective manner.
The psychology deals with the study of the human behaviour in order to explain the
reason for any f the change taking place within the company (Wieser, 2018). This is very
important to be studied because of the fact that if the behaviour of the people within the company
will not be studied in effective manner then the working will not be good enough. Hence, for this
the study of the psychology of the person is very essential to be studied in the organizational
context. Also, the another major reason for the study of the psychology is that this will help the
company in making the objectives of the company and ensuring that these objectives are being
followed in the same manner or not. If these are not taking place in the same manner then some
corrective actions need to be taken.
Thus, it is essential that all the practices of the business are taking place in the same
direction and with same perception and attitude as this will help the company in growing and
developing in much better manner. At time of understanding of the psychological principles it is
very essential for the company to have a great look at the learning process which is being used
within the company. This is generally because of the reason that if the learning process is not
good then the good principles and psychology cannot be changed if the process of learning is not
good. Hence, it is essential for the company to use good learning styles and strategies. Also,
another most important thing for the company to ensure is the use of good motivational
techniques. This is because of the fact that if the motivational techniques are not used in effective
manner then the employees within the company will not be motivated.
Thus, it is very essential for the company to have effective motivational techniques for
the study of the psychology of the person working within the company. Also, these motivational
techniques will assist the company in changing and influencing the mindset of the employees in
only one direction that is the attainment of the goals of the business.
Potential conflicts, co- operation and decision making in generational shift
The generational shift is the difference among the two people who are from different
generations. In the world there are people who belong to some generation and there are people
who are young and they belong to some other generation (Bracht, Junker and van Dick, 2018).
All these people are different in their thinking perception and way of thinking. This is majorly
pertaining to the reason that all the generation has seen some of the other variation in the

environment in which they live. This is majorly because of the fact that each of the generation
has the gap of the at least 10 years. As per the case study being given there is three different
generations being present in the world which are baby boomer, generation X and generation Y
(Farooq, Rupp and Farooq, 2017). The baby boomer is the generation which includes people
born in mid of 1940 and mid 1960. The generation X is the generation which includes the people
born between the time period of late 1960 and the mid of 1970. The last is the generation Y
which includes the millennial generation of the people who are born in the late of 1970 till the
period of mid- to- late 1990. It is said that all these people belonging to the different generation
are different in potential conflicts and cooperation level and the decision making style.
At the time of conflict the people belonging to the generation Y are more aggressive as
compared to the people belonging to the generation of baby boomer or the generation X. Hence,
the conflicting ability is high in the young people who belong to the generation Y. Also, the
cooperation level the generation of baby boomer is more cooperative and coordinated. This is
majorly because of the reason that the environment at this type of generation was different and
was clam and simple as compared to the environment currently present in this highly competitive
world. In the current highly competitive market every person is trying to demean the other
person.
Also, in case of the decision making the older people that is the people belonging to the
generation of baby boomer is much good in taking decision. This is majorly because of the
reason that these people are more calm and critical thinker and before taking the decision they
think for twice. But this is not there in case of the other two generation especially the generation
Y. This is majorly because of the reason that when it comes to taking decision these people are
quick decision taker and does not think much before taking the decision. Thus, this may result in
not taking good and effective decision and this decision may affect the profitability and the
growth and development of the business. Hence, it is necessary for all the three different
generation to take the decision in calm and cool manner so that the good and effective decisions
are taken and this leads to the development of the business to a great extent (Farooq, Rupp and
Farooq, 2017).

Relationship between different generation in relation with their perception towards inequality,
fairness and discrimination
The relation of all the three generation is also different with respect to the perception of
each generation toward the three different aspects like inequality, fairness and discrimination.
The inequality is defined as the treating of the employees in different ways and discriminating
among them (Crisp and Turner, 2020). The fairness is related to the fact that the employees are
treated in good and effective manner and the discrimination is the act of differentiating among
the employees on different basis like age, gender, income, ability, quality and many other
discriminating factors. All the three generation that is the baby boomer, generation X and
generation Y. There is a great relationship among all the different generation on the basis of
these three different factors.
In the terms of the fairness the generation of the baby boomers is more effective and fair
in taking decision as compared to the other two generation. This is majorly pertaining to the fact
that when it comes to fairness the baby boomers are fairer because they have grown up in more
good and healthy environment (Gren, Torkar and Feldt, 2017). But in case of the other two types
and especially the generation Y has seen the environment where the competition is high and any
person can harm any other person for the betterment of oneself. Thus, this type of environment is
not much fair for the people and the companies also not operate in fair manner.
In the case of inequality the generation Y is more effective and active. This is majorly
because of the reason that generation Y is the one wherein the competition is very high and to
win the competition any person can take any step whether it is harming any other person it does
not matter to them. But this is not in case of the baby boomers as they are more good and
sensible people and does not treat other people unequal to them even if they are of low category
or poor. But this inequality is present in case of the generation X as well but less than the extent
which is present in generation Y and more then what is present in baby boomers. This is majorly
because of the reason that when it comes to generation X the people are some more sophisticated
and more good.
In case of the discrimination the baby boomers are less involved in the discriminating
activities or the activities which harm other people (Redshaw, 2017). This is majorly because of
the reason that when it comes to discrimination the baby boomers are not involved in
discrimination because their values does not involve this and they work in more ethical and

morally correct manner as compared to the other two generation. The major discrimination takes
place in the case of the generation Y and this is majorly pertaining to the fact that generation Y is
more advance and if they do not like the work of the person they restrict the rights of the person
and this can also include discrimination among the employees (Benedetti and Chen, 2018). Like
for instance if the work of one employee is not liked by the company then they will not favour
that employees and will mistreat the employees and will pay them unfairly. Also, this is present
in case of generation X but not with that much of intensity with which it is present in generation
Y.
CONCLUSION
In the end it is summarised that the study of the social psychology is very essential for the
company for getting success sand for understanding the requirements of the people working in
company. This is majorly because of the fact that if the people will not work in good and
effective manner then the working efficiency of the people will be low and they will not work
with their full potential.
Thus, the current report focused over the impact of the social psychology present within
the company. Also, the report highlighted the three different generation from the case study that
is the baby boomer, generation X and generation Y. All these three generation are different with
respect of conflicts, cooperation and the decision making process. Also when it comes to treating
fairness, inequality and discrimination then also all the three generation are different.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Benedetti, A.H. and Chen, S., 2018. High CEO-to-worker pay ratios negatively impact consumer
and employee perceptions of companies. Journal of Experimental Social
Psychology. 79. pp.378-393.
Bracht, E.M., Junker, N.M. and van Dick, R., 2018. Exploring the social context of self‐
leadership—Self‐leadership‐culture. Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology. 2(4).
pp.119-130.
Crisp, R.J. and Turner, R.N., 2020. Essential social psychology. SAGE Publications Limited.
Farooq, O., Rupp, D.E. and Farooq, M., 2017. The multiple pathways through which internal and
external corporate social responsibility influence organizational identification and
multifoci outcomes: The moderating role of cultural and social orientations. Academy of
Management Journal. 60(3). pp.954-985.
Fiske, S.T., 2018. Social beings: Core motives in social psychology. John Wiley & Sons.
Gren, L., Torkar, R. and Feldt, R., 2017. Group development and group maturity when building
agile teams: A qualitative and quantitative investigation at eight large
companies. Journal of Systems and Software. 124. pp.104-119.
Redshaw, S., 2017. In the company of cars: Driving as a social and cultural practice. CRC
Press.
Wieser, M., 2018. Psychology in the “Ostmark”: Applied Psychology in times of war. ESHHS
Groningen: Book of Abstracts/Ed. J. Eshuis. Netherlands: Open University of
Netherlands. Р, pp.19-20.
Online
6 contributing discipline to the organization behaviour field. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
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