Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Sunil Hazari

Abstract

The decision to implement information technology (IT) initiatives to enhance collaboration among veterans, baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Fifth Generation employees continues to challenge organizational leaders. The purpose of this nonexperimental study was to identify how the implementation of information technology initiatives, coupled with the knowledge of learning styles, might enhance collaboration among generational cohort employees. The generational cohort theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, and the technology acceptance model were the theoretical frameworks used to develop an understanding of the relationships among the cohorts and the acceptance of technology to enhance collaboration. Data were collected from a survey of 335 respondents from the five generational cohorts who worked in small, medium, and large not-for-profit firms that used IT processes, in the Southeastern United States. Data analysis included Welch ANOVA with the Games-Howell post hoc test, Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's Bonferroni adjustment, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed no significant differences in learning style preferences among the cohorts, and no significant differences among factors influencing preferences for technology activity. Irrespective of generational cohorts, individuals displayed common degrees of comfort with IT training activities. Findings may be used by organizational leaders to implement technology training activities without focus on preferences for training among multigenerational employees. Findings may also be used to enhance collaboration by focusing on commonalities rather than differences among generational cohorts.

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