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Case

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ZORE DAR AND IZZAT KHAN: NAVIGATING THE GENERATION GAP AT WORK

Jawad Syed


INDUSTRY :

AREA : HRM/OB

ORGANIZATION :

LENGTH : 12

LUMS No : 05-787-2024-1

PUBLICATION YEAR : 2024

DESCRIPTION

KEYWORDS:


DESCRIPTION:

In August 2023, Zore Dar, a Gen Z assistant manager at Waseb Cement, navigated professional and generational challenges under the management of Izzat Khan, a Gen X production manager. Waseb Cement, the largest privately-owned cement manufacturer in Pakistan, exhibited a rigid organisational culture and structural and economic challenges. Zore, tech-savvy and innovative, struggled to reconcile his modern approaches with Izzat's traditional methods. Despite Zore's contributions to efficiency and sustainability, his methods and informal demeanour clashed with the factory's established norms. Financial constraints and rising inflation intensified Zore's discontent, prompting him to consider leaving the company. The generational gap manifested in differing attitudes toward technology, work-life balance, and communication. While Zore sought acknowledgement for his ideas and fair compensation, Izzat emphasised adherence to established procedures and hierarchical respect. Their relationship highlights broader challenges in retaining young talent at Waseb Cement, showcasing the need for flexible management practices and better integration of inclusive and innovative approaches. The case illustrates the complexities of managing a multigenerational workforce and the evolving nature of work in a traditional industrial setting. (LUMS No. Assigned 15-May-2024)


LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

After reading this case study, students should be in a position; 1. To demonstrate the implications of age diversity in the workplace 2. To highlight the complexity of communication across generations 3. To illustrate the application of theories of diversity management, social exchange, social learning and intergenerational learning and development at work This case is suitable to be run in a class of 90 to 120 minutes with rich avenues for discussion of relevant theoretical frameworks.


SUBJECTS COVERED:

Human Resource Management