This article offers insights for companies and managers to understand how millennials’ traits contribute to fostering an environmentally sustainable workplace, ultimately aiding in achieving environmental sustainability. Employing mindful learning theory as its foundation, the article proposes a framework that leverages millennials’ characteristics to create a sustainable workplace. It highlights how millennials’ inclinations towards sustainability can shape eco-friendly work environments, allowing companies to align individual and organisational goals. This alignment, focused on responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), can drive progress towards environmental sustainability. The significance of this article lies in succinctly explaining millennial traits and their potential use by companies in cultivating sustainable workplaces, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of SDG 12.
AlexanderC. S., & SyskoJ. M. (2012). A study of the cognitive determinants of generation Y’s entitlement mentality. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 16(2), 63–68. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:220755075
2.
AnasiS. N., UkangwaC. C., & FagbeA. (2018). University libraries-bridging digital gaps and accelerating the achievement of sustainable development goals through information and communication technologies. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 15(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-11-2016-0059
3.
ArmstrongA. (2020). Ethics and ESG. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 14(3), 6–17. https://dx-doi-org.web.bisu.edu.cn/10.14453/aabfj.v14i3.2
4.
BaderP. (2008). On the path to a culture of sustainability-conceptual approaches. Nachhaltigkeit. http://www.goethe.de/ges/umw/dos/nac/den/en3106180.htm
5.
BaldonadoA., & SpangenburgJ. (2009). Leadership and the future: Gen Y workers and two-factor theory. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 15(1), 99–103.
6.
BannonS., FordK., & MeltzerL. (2011). Understanding millennials in the workplace. The CPA Journal, 81(11), 61.
7.
BasuS., & SarkarB. (May19, 2023). Sustainability at work: Companies involve employees in larger causehttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporatetrends/sustainability-at-work-companies-involve-employees-in-larger-cause/articleshow/100361614.cms?from=mdr
8.
BectonJ. B., WalkerH. J., & Jones-FarmerA. (2014). Generational differences in workplace behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 44(3), 175–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12208
9.
BennettJ., PittM., & PriceS. (2012). Understanding the impact of generational issues in the workplace. Facilities, 30(7/8), 278–288. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771211220086
10.
BeutellN. J., & Wittig-BermanU. (2008). Work-family conflict and work-family synergy for generation X, baby boomers, and matures: Generational differences, predictors, and satisfaction outcomes. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(5), 507–523. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810884513
11.
BodnerT. E., & LangerE. J. (2001). Individual differences in mindfulness: The mindfulness/mindlessness scale. In Poster presented at the 13th annual American Psychological Society Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
12.
BottomleyK., & Willie BurgessS. (2018). Changing generations in today’s workforce: Leadership skills for millennials. Employment Relations Today, 44(4), 5–9.
13.
BurkusD. (2010). Developing the next generation of leaders: How to engage millennials in the workplace. Leadership Advance Online, 19, 1–6.
14.
Business Insider India. (28Aug2019). India 13 companies with incredible employee health and fitness perkshttps://www.businessinsider.in/miscellaneous/13-companies-with-incredible-employee-health-and-fitness-perks/slidelist/70867008.cms#slideid=70867016
15.
CanedoJ. C., GraenG., GraceM., & JohnsonR. D. (2017). Navigating the new workplace: Technology, millennials, and accelerating HR innovation. AIS Transactions on Human–Computer Interaction, 9(3), 243–260.
16.
CarsonS. (2014). The impact of mindfulness on creativity research and creativity enhancement. InIeA., NgnoumenC. T., & LangerE. J.(Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell handbook of mindfulness (pp. 328–344). John Wiley & Sons.
17.
CarsonS., ShihM., & LangerE. (2001). Sit still and pay attention?Journal of Adult Development, 8(3), 183–188. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009594324594
18.
CarverL., & CandelaL. (2008). Attaining organizational commitment across different generations of nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 16(8), 984–991. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2008.00911
19.
ChillakuriB. (2020). Fueling performance of millennials and Generation Z. Strategic HR Review, 19(1), 41–43. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-02-2020-175
20.
ChouS. Y. (2012). Millennials in the workplace: A conceptual analysis of millennials’ leadership and followership styles. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.5296/ijhrs.v2i2.1568
21.
De Silva LokuwadugeC. S., SmarkC., & MirM. (2020). Sustainable development goals and businesses as active change agents. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 14(3), 1–5. https://dx-doi-org.web.bisu.edu.cn/10.14453/aabfj.v14i3.1
22.
Deloitte (2019). The Deloitte global millennial survey 2019www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html
23.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”). (2021).A call for accountability and action: The Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z survey. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/2021-deloitte-global-millennial-survey-report.pdf
24.
DeloitteT. (2014). Big demands and high expectations: The Deloitte millennial survey. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/About-Deloitte/gx-dttl-2014-millennial-survey-report.pdf
25.
DixonG., MercadoA., & KnowlesB. (2013). Followers and generations in the workplace. Engineering Management Journal, 25(4), 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/10429247.2013.11431996
26.
DochertyP., KiraM., & ShaniA. R. (2008). What the world needs now is sustainable work systems. Creating sustainable work systems (pp. 27–48). Routledge.
27.
EastmanJ. K., IyerR., Liao-TrothS., WilliamsD. F., & GriffinM. (2014). The role of involvement on millennials’ mobile technology behaviors: The moderating impact of status consumption, innovation, and opinion leadership. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 22(4), 455–470. https://doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679220407
28.
Economist Intelligence Unit. (2008). Maturing with the millennials. Are organisations prepared for the millennial consumer?Retrieved 7 July 2023, fromhttp://graphics.eiu.com/upload/Genesys_Millenials.pdf
29.
EricksonT. (2009, March1). Generational differences between India and the US. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2009/02/global-generations-focus-on-in
30.
EricksonT. (2008, April28). The baby boomer–generation Y love fest. Message posted to:http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/erickson/
31.
EspinozaC., UklejaM., & RuschC. D. (2010). Managing the millennials: Discover the core competencies for managing today’s workforce. John Wiley & Sons.
32.
Fast Company. (2019). Most millennials would take a pay cut to work at an environmentally responsible company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90306556/most-millennials-would-take-a-pay-cut-to-work-at-a-sustainable-company
33.
Faster Capital.(2024, March2). Eco-friendly banking: The Amex green card’s sustainability perkshttps://fastercapital.com/content/Eco-Friendly-Banking–The-Amex-Green-Card-s-Sustainability-Perks.html
34.
GaidhaniS., AroraL., & SharmaB. K. (2019). Understanding the attitude of generation Z towards the workplace. International Journal of Management, Technology and Engineering, 9(1), 2804–2812
35.
GaldamesS., & GuihenL. (2022). Millennials and leadership: A systematic literature review. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 33(1–2), 146–162.
36.
GangulyS. (2016, May13). KFC India’s “add Hope” initiative to provide 20 million meals to underprivileged children by 2020https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kfc-indias-add-hope-initiative-to-provide-20-million-meals-to-underprivileged-children-by-2020/articleshow/52256790.cms?from=mdr
37.
Great Places to Work. (2023). Fortune best workplaces for millennials 2023. https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/Millennials/2023
38.
GrebitusC., PrintezisI., & PrintezisA. (2017). Relationship between consumer behavior and success of urban agriculture. Ecological Economics, 136, 189–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.02.010
39.
GuptaS. (2023, November23). 75 Companies offering work from home in India. Remote companies. https://digest.myhq.in/7-indian-companies-offering-work-from-home-facility/
40.
HaighE. A., MooreM. T., KashdanT. B., & FrescoD. M. (2011). Examination of the factor structure and concurrent validity of the Langer mindfulness/mindlessness scale. Assessment, 18(1), 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191110386342
41.
HalterJ. T. (2021, April20). Millennials are calling for greater transparency. Are companies ready?https://ywomen.biz/millennials-are-calling-for-greater-transparency-are-companies-ready/
42.
Harvard Business Review. (2013). The employer of choice. How will corporate citizenship and sustainable shared values create a new competitive edge?https://hbr.org/resources/pdfs/comm/siemens/hbr_siemens_report.pdf
43.
HumeM. (2010). Compassion without action: Examining the young consumer’s consumption and attitude to sustainable consumption. Journal of World Business, 45(4), 385–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2009.08.007
44.
JhaN., SareenP., & PotnuruR. K. G. (2019). Employee engagement for millennials: Considering technology as an enabler. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, 33(1), 9–11.
45.
KhubchandaniS. (January6, 2022) No Nasties 2.0 and the era of responsibility. https://www.thevoiceoffashion.com/sustainability/the-changing-climate-of-fashion/no-nasties-and-the-era-of-responsibility-4816
LangerE. J. (1997). The power of mindful learning. Addison-Wesley/Addison Wesley Longman.
48.
LangerE. J. (1989). Mindfulness. Addison-Wesley/De Capon Press.
49.
LangerE. J., & MoldoveanuM. (2000). The construct of mindfulness. Journal of Social Issues, 56(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00148
50.
LeeJ. A., SudarshanS., SussmanK. L., BrightL. F., & EastinM. S. (2022). Why are consumers following social media influencers on Instagram? Exploration of consumers’ motives for following influencers and the role of materialism. International Journal of Advertising, 41(1), 78–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2021.1964226
51.
LozanoR. (2015). A holistic paper on corporate sustainability drivers. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 22(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1325
52.
MahapatraG. P., BhullarN., & GuptaP. (2022). Gen Z: An emerging phenomenon. NHRD Network Journal, 15(2), 246–256.
53.
MooreS., & WenJ. J. (2008). An initial exploration of sustainable work systems in China: An issue of imbalance between economic and social reform. Creating Sustainable Work Systems (pp. 243–256). Routledge.
54.
MyersK. K., & SadaghianiK. (2010). Millennials in the workplace: A communication perspective on millennials’ organizational relationships and performance. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25, 225–238.
55.
NaderiI., & Van SteenburgE. (2018). Me first, then the environment: Young Millennials as green consumers. Young Consumers, 19(3), 280–295. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-08-2017-00722
56.
NermoeK. (2022). Millennials: The ‘wellness generation’https://news.sanfordhealth.org/sanford-health-plan/millennials-wellness-generation/
57.
OppelW. A. (2007). Generational diversity: The future of the American workforce. Leadership Advance Online, 9, 1–3. http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/lao/issue_9/pdf/diversity.pdf
58.
PetersonH. (2014). Millennials are old news: Here’s everything you should know about generation Z. Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/
59.
RobertsG. (2011). What it means to be an ’employer of choice’. http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/what-it-means-to-be-an-employer-of-choice
60.
RogersG. (2013). The rise of generation Y in the sustainable marketplace. The Guardian, 3Feb. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainablebusiness/blog/rise-generation-y-sustainable-marketplace
61.
RussoR. A., DallaghanG. B., BalonR., BlazekM. C., GoldenbergM. N., SpollenJ. J., & RakofskyJ. J. (2020). Millennials in psychiatry: Exploring career choice factors in Generation Y psychiatry interns. Academic Psychiatry, 44, 727–733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-020-01272-3
62.
Sánchez-HernándezM. I., González-LópezÓ. R., Buenadicha-MateosM., & Tato-JiménezJ. L. (2019). Work–life balance in great companies and pending issues for engaging new generations at work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5122.
63.
SaputraN., & HutajuluG. E. (2020). Engaging the millennials at office: Tracking the antecedents of holistic work engagement. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 21(1), 342–354.
64.
SchwartzA. (2014, June18). Want to attract millennials to your company? Engage them in causes. https://www.fastcompany.com/3031991/want-to-attract-millennials-to-your-company-engage-them-in-causes
65.
SeemillerC., & GraceM. (2016). Generation Z goes to college. John Wiley Sons.
66.
SheahanP., & SheahanP. (2005). Generation Y: Thriving and surviving with generation Y at work (pp. 72–77). Hardie Grant Books.
67.
SidorcukaI., & ChesnovickaA. (2017, September). Methods of attraction and retention of Generation Z staff. In CBU International conference proceedings (Vol. 5, pp. 807–814).
Strategic Sourceror. (2019January8). 5 companies that went paperless in 2018https://www.strategicsourceror.com/2019/01/5-companies-that-went-paperless-in-2018.html
ThorntonL. J., & McEnteeM. E. (1995). Learner-centered schools as a mindset, and the connection with mindfulness and multiculturalism. Theory into Practice, 34(4), 250–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405849509543688
72.
TulganB. (2009). Not everyone gets a trophy: How to manage generation Y. John Wiley & Sons.
73.
UnitE. I. (2008). Doing good: Business and the sustainability challenge. The Economist (January). https://graphics.eiu.com/upload/Sustainability_allsponsors.pdf
74.
US Census Bureau. (2017). International database. www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/idb/informationGateway.php
75.
VijayalakshmiA. (2022October16). Employed to be influencers: Should firms have an employee influencer programme?https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-employed-to-be-influencers-should-firms-have-an-employee-influencer-programme-2709151/
76.
WaderaD., & KaurJ. (2019). Comparing sustainability practices in luxury brands: A conceptual model. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship & Sustainability, 15(3), 151–194.
77.
WeberJ. (2019). Understanding the millennials’ integrated ethical decision-making process: Assessing the relationship between personal values and cognitive moral reasoning. Business & Society, 58(8), 1671–1706.
