Abstract:
Millennials have the power to influence organisations as they will soon become the dominant
generation in the workforce. Making sure this generational cohort is empowered, engaged
and productive is critical, specifically for a country like South Africa who experience a tough
economic climate, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Millennials have been branded
lazy, entitled, and self-centred, and it is this sentiment which provides the basis for the
research.
The research aimed to answer what Millennials’ preferences of communication systems are,
and whether they are stifled by traditional communications systems and why. The research
study utilised the Interpretivist paradigm, encompassing the Axiological and Ontological
perspectives, encouraging a qualitative research approach. The qualitative data collected
was done by means of an online survey and in-depth interviews. The research yielded 45
respondents for the online survey and 1 interview participant. The data was then analysed
using open coding and thematic content analysis. The researcher found that respondents
place high value in communication, but do not feel engaged or empowered by traditional
communication systems which are still in place. The generational gap within in the workforce
was highlighted, with a strong sentiment that they are being held back by leaders who are
not adaptive or agile. Based on the results of the data, the findings suggest the feasibility for
further research, and the researcher has made several recommendations collected and
presented them to the reader.
