University of Twente Student Theses
Optimizing Workforce Management : Analyzing Generational Preferences for Flexible Work Arrangements in a Manufacturing Setting
Droste, C.H.H. (2025) Optimizing Workforce Management : Analyzing Generational Preferences for Flexible Work Arrangements in a Manufacturing Setting.
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| Abstract: | This study examines different flexible work arrangements (FWAs) and their impacts, with a particular focus on how generational differences influence employee satisfaction and productivity in the manufacturing industry. With demographic shifts, like an aging workforce and the entry of younger generations, in combination with fast technological advancements, the workforce is becoming more diverse and dynamic, this requires organizations to adapt their management strategies to meet evolving employee needs and operational demands. For these optimal workforce management strategies, understanding the generational preferences and barriers has become very important. The research looks at the following generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. In this research, their view on FWAs such as Flexible Hours, Compressed Workweeks, and Phased Retirement will be examined. It uses a quantitative approach supplemented by open-ended question used to study the intersections of generational differences, FWAs usage, and employment foundation outcomes such as satisfaction and productivity. The findings reveal nuanced generational preferences, highlighting the complexity of implementing FWAs in a manufacturing setting. Rather than focusing primarily on generational differences, the results emphasize the need for a broader, more flexible approach. Although the results of looking for generational differences were not statistically significant, the data provided valuable insights into the use and interest in FWA policies across generations. There were interesting patterns in the interest expressed in certain FWAs, for example that younger employees showed a bigger interest in flexible hours compared to older employees. These results may not strongly predict FWA usage, but it could still improve employee satisfaction and productivity by fitting policies to individual and role-specific needs. Since this study shows the interesting insights on how different generations react and utilize FWAs, it can contribute to the existing body of literature around this topic, showing real world results on how flexible arrangements have an impact on a multigenerational workforce in the manufacturing setting. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105992 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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