Generation Z in Construction: Exploring Onboarding in Multigenerational Work Environments

Authors

  • Dioufie Wardho Prawiro Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang
  • Ahyar Yuniawan Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang
  • Intan Ratna Wati Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54518/ibr.4.1.2026.1394

Keywords:

Construction Industry, Employee onboarding, Generation Z, Intergenerational workplace

Abstract

This study aims to understand the onboarding experiences of Generation Z employees in the construction industry work environment and how they adapt during the early stages of their employment. The research was conducted at PT Wira Sakti using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with Generation Z employees as the main informants and triangulation informants from the millennial generation. The results show that the onboarding process does not only focus on introducing job tasks but also involves adjustment to organizational culture, work communication patterns, and the dynamics of professional relationships within project teams. Generation Z employees face adaptation challenges related to hierarchical organizational structures, the dynamic rhythm of project work, and the high demands for coordination in the field. In addressing these challenges, Generation Z employees develop various adaptation strategies, such as improving their ability to observe team work patterns, building more active communication with colleagues, and adjusting personal expectations to align with the organization’s work system. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of more structured onboarding practices to support the adaptation process and social integration of new employees within the organization.

References

Aggarwal, A., Sadhna, P., Gupta, S., Mittal, A., & Rastogi, S. (2022). Gen Z entering the workforce: Restructuring HR policies and practices for fostering the task performance and organizational commitment. Journal of public affairs, 22(3), e2535. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2535

Batra, S., & Rastogi, A. (2024). Authentic leadership, future prospects and affective commitment in early career employees: A mediation model. South Asian Journal of Human Resources Management, 11(2), 228-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/23220937221148074

Bauer, T. N., Erdogan, B., Ellis, A. M., Truxillo, D. M., Brady, G. M., & Bodner, T. (2025). New horizons for newcomer organizational socialization: A review, meta-analysis, and future research directions. Journal of Management, 51(1), 344-382. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063241277168

Beuving, J., & Vries, G. (2025). Doing qualitative research: The craft of naturalistic inquiry. Routledge.

Bhayana, C., Gupta, V., & Sharda, K. (2021). The role of shared leadership in managing conflicts in multigenerational teams: A research framework. Business Perspectives and Research, 9(2), 252-268. https://doi.org/10.1177/2278533720964928

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Brinkmann, S. (2022). Qualitative interviewing: Conversational knowledge through research interviews. England: Oxford University Press.

Budiono, A., Wasino, H., & Cyasmoro, V. (2024). Manajemen: Memahami Perilaku Manusia dalam Organisasi. Sumedang, Indonesia: Mega Press Nusantara.

Cennamo, L., & Gardner, D. (2008). Generational differences in work values, outcomes and person‐organisation values fit. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(8), 891-906. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810904385

Dimock, M. (2019, January 17). Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins. Pew Research Center. Retrieved Januari 10, 2025 from https://share.google/Nbm0MIofBjZOCl3cv

Frögéli, E., Jenner, B., & Gustavsson, P. (2023). Effectiveness of formal onboarding for facilitating organizational socialization: A systematic review. PloS one, 18(2), e0281823.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281823

Gabrielova, K., & Buchko, A. A. (2021). Here comes Generation Z: Millennials as managers. Business horizons, 64(4), 489-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.013

González-Morales, M. G. (2025). From toxic to brave organizations: Transforming power cultures into relational cultures. Organizational Dynamics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2025.101203

International Labour Organization. (2022). World employment and social outlook: Trends 2022. ILO. Retrieved January 3, 2026 from https://share.google/5c4cPPoaoJ7x0zNsd

Klein, H. J., Polin, B., & Leigh Sutton, K. (2015). Specific onboarding practices for the socialization of new employees. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 23(3), 263-283. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsa.12113

Leavy, P. (2022). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based, and community-based participatory research approaches. United States of America: Guilford publications.

Meng, X., & Boyd, P. (2017). The role of the project manager in relationship management. International Journal of Project Management, 35(5), 717-728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.03.001

Patton, M. Q. (2022). Impact-driven qualitative research and evaluation. The SAGE handbook of qualitative research design, 2, 1165-1180.

Peltokorpi, V., Feng, J., Pustovit, S., Allen, D. G., & Rubenstein, A. L. (2022). The interactive effects of socialization tactics and work locus of control on newcomer work adjustment, job embeddedness, and voluntary turnover. Human Relations, 75(1), 177-202.

Po, H. Y., Ting, I. W. K., Osman, A. A., Tan, S. Y., & Asif, J. (2024). Investigating the relationship between human capital and organizational performance: Insights from the construction industry in Malaysia. International Journal of Industrial Management, 18(3), 152-165. https://doi.org/10.15282/ijim.18.3.2024.10937

Racolţa-Paina, N. D., & Irini, R. D. (2021). Generation Z in the workplace through the lenses of human resource professionals–A qualitative study. Calitatea, 22(183), 78-85.

Saepudin, A., & Handayani, S. (2026). Transforming human resource management practices for Generation Z in the contemporary workplace. Research Horizon, 6(1), 583-592. https://doi.org/10.54518/rh.6.1.2026.1012

Scott, C. P., Dieguez, T. A., Deepak, P., Gu, S., & Wildman, J. L. (2021). Onboarding during COVID-19: Create structure, connect people, and continue adapting. Organizational dynamics, 51(2), 100828.

Tang, J., & Martins, J. T. (2021). Intergenerational workplace knowledge sharing: challenges and new directions. Journal of Documentation, 77(3), 722-742. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-08-2020-0129

Van Manen, M. (2023). Phenomenology of practice: Meaning-giving methods in phenomenological research and writing. Routledge.

Waligóra, A., & Górski, M. (2025). Competences of the Future—How to Educate the iGen Generation. Education Sciences, 15(5), 621. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15050621

Yu, L., Ren, H., & Singh, R. (2025). Newcomers' organizational socialization: a systemic literature review. International Journal of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (IJMESS), 14(1/2), 23-53.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-01

How to Cite

Prawiro, D. W., Yuniawan, A., & Wati, I. R. (2026). Generation Z in Construction: Exploring Onboarding in Multigenerational Work Environments. Integra Business Review, 4(1), 92–111. https://doi.org/10.54518/ibr.4.1.2026.1394

Issue

Section

Articles