A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights  and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics

Çil Umut; Çevik Osman

doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Research Article

DOI :10.26650/JECS2023-1296028 IUP :10.26650/JECS2023-1296028 Full Text (PDF)

A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics

As scholarly interest in generational studies grows, so too does the scrutiny surrounding the phenomenon's validity. This study addresses both the burgeoning interest and skepticism by proposing an innovative operationalization of generations within the context of Turkey, aiming to introduce new concepts and methodologies to the field. While generational phenomena have often been approached with global or broadly applicable classifications, this research advocates for the consideration of national contexts as pivotal for accurate analysis. Using Turkey as a case study—identified through generations such as the Founders, Republican Generation, First Democrats, Military Coup Generation, First Neoliberals, and Social Media Generation—this study illustrates the application of the proposed operationalization. Conducted through a qualitative inquiry and informed by a multidisciplinary approach involving participants from various social sciences, this research not only names and defines these six generations but also elucidates their defining the initiator, finisher and internal turning points, the spheres of influence, the successor and predecessor members. Such analysis not only addresses existing criticisms but also enriches the discourse on generational dynamics in Turkey. The study emphasizes the critical need to refine operationalization strategies, thereby enhancing generational analysis's effectiveness.

Keywords: Generational Classifications, Generations of Turkey, Turning Points, Spheres of Influence, Successor and Predecessor Members

References

Adiguzel, O., Batur, H. Z., & Ekgili, N. (2014). Kugaklarin Degigen Yuzu ve Y Kugagi ile Ortaya Qikan Yeni Qaligma Tarzi: Mobil Yakalilar. Suleyman Demirel Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu Dergisi, 1 (19). google scholar
Arli, D., & Pekerti, A. (2016). Investigating the influence of religion, ethical ideologies and generational cohorts toward consumer ethics: Which one matters? Social Responsibility Journal, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-08-2015-0112 google scholar
Aydin, A. E. (2020). Kugak Qaligmalarindaki Tartigmali Konulara iligkin Bir Degerlendirme. Yorum-Ydnetim-Ydntem Uluslararasi Yonetim-Ekonomi ve Felsefe Dergisi, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.32705/yorumyonetim.707744 google scholar
Baltaci, A. (2018). Nitel aragtirmalarda ornekleme yontemleri ve ornek hacmi sorunsali uzerine kavramsal bir inceleme. Bitlis Eren Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu Dergisi, 7(1). google scholar
Bayhan, V., (2019). Kugaklar Sosyolojisi ve Turkiye igin Yeni Bir Kugak Analizi. Sosyoloji Divani, 7(13): 29-45. google scholar
Beier, M. E., & Kanfer, R. (2015). Generations at work: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.55 google scholar
Benson, J., & Brown, M. (2011). Generations at work: Are there differences and do they matter? International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(9). https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.573966 google scholar
Boyle, G. J., Matthews, G., & Saklofske, D. H. (2008). The SAGE Handbook of Personality Theory and Assessment: Volume 2 — Personality Measurement and Testing. In The SAGE Handbook of Personality Theory and Assessment: Volume 2 - Personality Measurement and Testing. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849200479 google scholar
Brink, K. E., & Zondag, M. M. (2021). Examining Job Attribute Preferences Across Three Generational Cohorts. Journal of Career Development, 48(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845319837384 google scholar
Brink, K. E., Zondag, M. M., & Crenshaw, J. L. (2015). Generation is a culture construct. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Vol. 8, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.45 google scholar
Cadiz, D. M., Truxillo, D. M., & Fraccaroli, F. (2015). What are the benefits of focusing on generation-based differences and at what cost? Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.49 google scholar
Campbell, W. K., Campbell, S. M., Siedor, L. E., & Twenge, J. M. (2015). Generational differences are real and useful. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Vol. 8, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.43 google scholar
Caspi, A., & Roberts, B. W. (2001). Personality development across the life course: The argument for change and continuity. Psychological Inquiry, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1202_01 google scholar
Costanza, D. P., Badger, J. M., Fraser, R. L., Severt, J. B., & Gade, P. A. (2012). Generational Differences in Work-Related Attitudes: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Business and Psychology, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-012-9259-4 google scholar
Costanza, D. P., & Finkelstein, L. M. (2015). Generationally based differences in the workplace: Is there a there there? Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.15 google scholar
Costanza, D. P., Ravid, D. M., & Slaughter, A. J. (2021). A distributional approach to understanding generational differences: What do you mean they vary? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103585 google scholar
Cox, C. B., & Coulton, G. (2015). Fire all the boomers: How generational labeling legitimizes age discrimination. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.52 google scholar
Dencker, J. C., Joshi, A., & Martocchio, J. J. (2008). Towards a theoretical framework linking generational memories to workplace attitudes and behaviors. Human Resource Management Review, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2008.07.007 google scholar
Edwards, L. (1988). Congress and the origins of the Cold War: The Truman doctrine. World Affairs, 151 (3), 131-141. google scholar
Elder Jr, G. H. (1994). Time, Human Agency, and Social Change: Perspectives on the Life Course. Social Psychology Quarterly, 57(1). https://doi.org/10.2307/2786971 google scholar
Elder Jr, G. H. (1998). The Life Course as Developmental Theory. Child Development, 69(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.1998.tb06128.x google scholar
Eyerman, R., & Turner, B. S. (1998). Outline of a theory of generations. European Journal of Social Theory, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/136843198001001007 google scholar
France, A., & Roberts, S. (2015). The problem of social generations: a critique of the new emerging orthodoxy in youth studies. Journal of Youth Studies, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2014.944122 google scholar
Frazier, R. (1984). Did Britain Start the Cold War? Bevin And the Truman Doctrine. The Historical Journal, 27(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0018246X00018045 google scholar
Gaddis, J. L. (1974). Was the Truman Doctrine a Real Turning Point? Foreign Affairs, 52(2). https://doi.org/10.2307/20038055 google scholar
Giancola, F. (2006). The generation gap: More myth than reality. HR. Human Resource Planning, 29(4), 32-37. google scholar
Gibson, J. L. (2015). The effects of workforce trends and changes on organizational recruiting: A practical perspective. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.54 google scholar
Gillespie, B. J., Mulder, C. H., & Eggleston, C. M. (2021). Measuring migration motives with open-ended survey data: Methodological and conceptual issues. Population, Space and Place, 27(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2448 google scholar
Gurbuz, S. (2015). Ku§ak Farkliliklari: Mit mi, Gergek mi? if ve insan Dergisi, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.18394/iid.80342 google scholar
He, Z., & Schonlau, M. (2021). Coding Text Answers to Open-ended Questions: Human Coders and Statistical Learning Algorithms Make Similar Mistakes. Methods, Data, Analyses, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.12758/mda.2020.10 google scholar
Inglehart, R. (1977). The Silent Revolution: Changing Values and Political Styles Among Western Publics. In The Journal of Politics (Issue 3). Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/2129874 google scholar
Inglehart, R. (1997). Modernization and Postmodernization. Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv10vm2ns google scholar
Joshi, A., Dencker, J. C., & Franz, G. (2011). Generations in organizations. In Research in Organizational Behavior (Vol. 31). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2011.10.002 google scholar
Kowske, B. J., Rasch, R., & Wiley, J. (2010). Millennials’ (lack of) attitude problem: An empirical examination of generational effects on work attitudes. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9171-8 google scholar
Kuckartz, U., & Radiker, S. (2019). Analyzing Qualitative Data with MAXQDA. In Analyzing Qualitative Data with MAXQDA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15671-8 google scholar
Lissitsa, S., & Laor, T. (2021). Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y: Identifying generational differences in effects of personality traits in on-demand radio use. Technology in Society, 64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101526 google scholar
Lyons, S., Urick, M., Kuron, L., & Schweitzer, L. (2015). Generational Differences in the Workplace: There Is Complexity Beyond the Stereotypes. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3), 346-356. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.48 google scholar
Macky, K., Gardner, D., & Forsyth, S. (2008). Generational differences at work: Introduction and overview. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(8). https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810904358 google scholar
Mannheim, K. (1928). Das Problem der Generationen. Kolner Vierteljahreshefte Fur Soziologie, 7(2). google scholar
Mannheim, K. (1952). The sociological problem of generation. Essays on the Sociology of Knowledge. google scholar
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2016). Designing Qualitative Research (Sixth Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. google scholar
Merrill, D. (2006). The Truman Doctrine: Containing Communism and Modernity. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-5705.2006.00284.x google scholar
Meyer, J. P., Stanley, D. J., Herscovitch, L., & Topolnytsky, L. (2002). Affective, continuance, and normative commitment to the organization: A meta-analysis of antecedents, correlates, and consequences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 61(1). https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2001.1842 google scholar
Mucevher, M. H., & Erdem, R. (2018). X Ku§agi Akademisyenler ile Y Ku§agi Ogrencilerin Birbirlerine Karşi Algilari. Suleyman Demirel Universitesi Vizyoner Dergisi.https://doi.org/10.21076/vizyoner.391745 google scholar
Nacak, i., (2019). Kuşak Kavramina Disiplinler Arasi Bakış. Sosyoloji Divani, 7(13): 9-27. google scholar
Nakai, Y. (2015). Why we study generations. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Vol. 8, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.44 google scholar
Neuert, C. E., Meitinger, K., Behr, D., & Schonlau, M. (2021). The Use of Open-ended Questions in Surveys Zur Verfugung gestellt in Kooperation mit / provided in cooperation with. SSOAR, 15(1). google scholar
Neuman, W. L., & Robson, K. (2014). Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approach (Third Edition). Pearson Canada. google scholar
Ng, T. W. H., & Feldman, D. C. (2010). The relationships of age with job attitudes: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 63(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2010.01184.x google scholar
Noble, S. M., & Schewe, C. D. (2003). Cohort segmentation: An exploration of its validity. Journal of Business Research, 56(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(02)00268-0 google scholar
Ozkog, H. H., & Bayrakdaroglu, F. (Du). (2017). Kuşak Kavramina Disiplinler Arası Bakiş (Cilt 1). Ankara: Nobel. google scholar
Ozkog, H. H., & Bayrakdaroglu, F. (Du). (2018). Ku§ak Kavramina Disiplinler Arasi Baki§ (Cilt 2). Ankara: Nobel. google scholar
Ozturk Aykag, N., (2019). Ku§ak Kavramina Disiplinler Arasi Baki§. Sosyoloji Divani, 7(13): 265- 274. google scholar
Parry, E., & Urwin, P. (2011). Generational Differences in Work Values: A Review of Theory and Evidence. In International Journal of Management Reviews (Vol. 13, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2010.00285.x google scholar
Parry, E., & Urwin, P. (2021). Generational categories: A broken basis for human resource management research and practice. Human Resource Management Journal, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12353 google scholar
Pekerti, A. A., & Arli, D. (2017). Do Cultural and Generational Cohorts Matter to Ideologies and Consumer Ethics? A Comparative Study of Australians, Indonesians, and Indonesian Migrants in Australia. Journal of Business Ethics, 143(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2777-z google scholar
Perry, E. L., Golom, F. D., & McCarthy, J. A. (2015). Generational differences: Let’s not throw the baby boomer out with the bathwater. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.53 google scholar
Popping, R. (2015). Analyzing Open-ended Questions by Means of Text Analysis Procedures. BMS Bulletin of Sociological Methodology/ Bulletin de Methodologie Sociologique, 128(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0759106315597389 google scholar
Riggio, R. E., & Saggi, K. (2015). Belief in generational stereotypes: Why there is a there there. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Vol. 8, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.46 google scholar
Roberts, B. W., Walton, K. E., & Viechtbauer, W. (2006). Patterns of mean-level change in personality traits across the life course: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 132(1). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.1.1 google scholar
Roberts, M. E., Stewart, B. M., Tingley, D., Lucas, C., Leder-Luis, J., Gadarian, S. K., Albertson, B., & Rand, D. G. (2014). Structural topic models for open-ended survey responses. American Journal of Political Science, 58(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12103 google scholar
Rudolph, C. W. (2015). A note on the folly of cross-sectional operationalizations of generations. In Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Vol. 8, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.50 google scholar
Rudolph, C. W., Rauvola, R. S., Costanza, D. P., & Zacher, H. (2021). Generations and Generational Differences: Debunking Myths in Organizational Science and Practice and Paving New Paths Forward. Journal of Business and Psychology, 36(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-020-09715-2 google scholar
Rudolph, C. W., Rauvola, R. S., & Zacher, H. (2018). Leadership and generations at work: A critical review. Leadership Quarterly, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2017.09.004 google scholar
Schewe, C. D., & Meredith, G. (2004). Segmenting global markets by generational cohorts: determining motivations by age. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.157 google scholar
Schonlau, M., Gweon, H., & Wenemark, M. (2021). Automatic Classification of Open-Ended Questions: Check-All-That-Apply Questions. Social Science Computer Review, 39(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439319869210 google scholar
Schuman, H., & Scott, J. (1989). Generations and Collective Memories. American Sociological Review, 54(3). https://doi.org/10.2307/2095611 google scholar
Senderovich, N., & Maysuradze, A. (2015). Interactive coding of responses to open-ended questions in Russian. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 518. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24543-0_15 google scholar
Spalding, E. E. (2017). The Enduring Significance of the Truman Doctrine. Orbis, 61(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orbis.2017.08.001 google scholar
Steel, P., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. (2015). The world is going to hell, the young no longer respect their elders, and other tricks of the mind. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.51 google scholar
Strauss, W., & Howe, N. (1991). Generations: The history of America’s future. In The history of America’s future, 1584 to 2069. google scholar
Strauss, W., & Howe, N. (1997). The Fourth Turning: what the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny. Broadway Books. google scholar
Sullivan, S. E., Forret, M. L., Carraher, S. M., & Mainiero, L. A. (2009). Using the kaleidoscope career model to examine generational differences in work attitudes. Career Development International, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966442 google scholar
Teddlie, C., & yu, F. (2007). Mixed Methods Sampling: A Typology With Examples. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2345678906292430 google scholar
Turner, B. S. (1998). Ageing and Generational Conflicts: A Reply to Sarah Irwin. The British Journal of Sociology, 49(2). https://doi.org/10.2307/591314 google scholar
Wang, Y., & Peng, Y. (2015). An alternative approach to understanding generational differences. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.56 google scholar
Yuksekbilgili, Z. (2013). Türk Tipi Y Kuşağı. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 12(45), 342-353. google scholar
Zacher, H. (2015). Using lifespan developmental theory and methods as a viable alternative to the study of generational differences at work. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.47 google scholar

Citations

Copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the options to export in your chosen format

EXPORT

APA

Çil, U., & Çevik, O. (2024). A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics. Journal of Economy Culture and Society, 0(69), 133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

AMA

Çil U, Çevik O. A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics. Journal of Economy Culture and Society. 2024;0(69):133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

ABNT

Çil, U.; Çevik, O. A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics. Journal of Economy Culture and Society, [Publisher Location], v. 0, n. 69, p. 133-148, 2024.

Chicago: Author-Date Style

Çil, Umut, and Osman Çevik. 2024. “A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics.” Journal of Economy Culture and Society 0, no. 69: 133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Chicago: Humanities Style

Çil, Umut, and Osman Çevik. “A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics.” Journal of Economy Culture and Society 0, no. 69 (Nov. 2024): 133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Harvard: Australian Style

Çil, U & Çevik, O 2024, 'A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics', Journal of Economy Culture and Society, vol. 0, no. 69, pp. 133-148, viewed 22 Nov. 2024, https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Harvard: Author-Date Style

Çil, U. and Çevik, O. (2024) ‘A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics’, Journal of Economy Culture and Society, 0(69), pp. 133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028 (22 Nov. 2024).

MLA

Çil, Umut, and Osman Çevik. “A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics.” Journal of Economy Culture and Society, vol. 0, no. 69, 2024, pp. 133-148. [Database Container], https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Vancouver

Çil U, Çevik O. A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics. Journal of Economy Culture and Society [Internet]. 22 Nov. 2024 [cited 22 Nov. 2024];0(69):133-148. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028 doi: 10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

ISNAD

Çil, Umut - Çevik, Osman. “A Novel Operationalization Approach in Generation Phenomenon: Insights and Implications from Turkey’s Generational Dynamics”. Journal of Economy Culture and Society 0/69 (Nov. 2024): 133-148. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1296028

Issue 692024, P. 133-148

TIMELINE

Submitted	11.05.2023
Accepted	01.02.2024
Published Online	07.06.2024

LICENCE

Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC)

This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Journal of Economy Culture and Society