INTERGENERATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND COOPERATION IN ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY

Abstract

The literature on identity and identification can enrich our understanding of intergenerational behavior in organizations and society. In this chapter, I outline factors that lead the present generation to categorize future generations as part of their in-group, and circumstances under which people feel that it is consistent with their identity or self-concept to act on the behalf of future generations. Intergenerational identification is defined as the perception of “oneness” among generations such that multiple (two or more) generations consider themselves as part of a single group. I posit that intergenerational cooperation is more likely to occur when intergenerational identification is high. Finally, I elucidate the relationships among intergenerational identification, organizational identification, and intergenerational cooperation.

Citation

Wade-Benzoni, K.A. (2003), "INTERGENERATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND COOPERATION IN ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY", Polzer, J. (Ed.) Identity Issues in Groups (Research on Managing Groups and Teams, Vol. 5), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 257-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1534-0856(02)05010-7