2408-9338Research result. Sociology and Management2408-933810.18413/2408-9338-2019-5-4-0-141830SOCIOLOGY OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL TECHNOLOGIESThe theory of generations in the context of sociology of managementThe theory of generations in the context of sociology of managementKovinEgor AndreevichKovinEgor Andreevichkovin-egor@mail.ruLysenkoOleg VladislavovichLysenkoOleg Vladislavovichlysenko_ov@pspu.ru20195400

Today, many organizations face the problem of differences in the attitude of employees of different generations to work, management, leadership, and organizational policies. Knowledge of the theory of generations will allow to highlight the strengths of each generation, as well as properly conduct measures for the selection, adaptation, motivation and retention of personnel in the organization. Consequently, this research work may contribute to a more balanced and reasonable approach to personnel management. In this article, the relevance of the modern «XYZ generation theory», founded by American writers V. Strauss and N. Howe, is being questioned. Deconstruction of the theory of these authors is given, and their joint book «Generations» is analyzed. The article also discusses truly scientific approaches to the topic of generations of authors such as Karl Mannheim, Margaret Mead, and Shmuel Eisenstadt. In addition to the analysis of foreign authors, the authors present the Russian scientific opinion on this issue. The main conclusions of the article are: (1) besides the popular science theory of the generations of V. Strauss and N. Howe, there is also a scientific tradition of studying generations, (2) the tradition of considering generations defines generation as a social phenomenon, (3) on the one hand, it is necessary to abandon the assumption that in some mystical way people of one generation think the same way, on the other hand, positivist interpretations are equally untenable, making the generation a real social group only on the basis of similar dates of birth. At the end of the article, the main problems that confront modern generational theory, today, are indicated.

Today, many organizations face the problem of differences in the attitude of employees of different generations to work, management, leadership, and organizational policies. Knowledge of the theory of generations will allow to highlight the strengths of each generation, as well as properly conduct measures for the selection, adaptation, motivation and retention of personnel in the organization. Consequently, this research work may contribute to a more balanced and reasonable approach to personnel management. In this article, the relevance of the modern «XYZ generation theory», founded by American writers V. Strauss and N. Howe, is being questioned. Deconstruction of the theory of these authors is given, and their joint book «Generations» is analyzed. The article also discusses truly scientific approaches to the topic of generations of authors such as Karl Mannheim, Margaret Mead, and Shmuel Eisenstadt. In addition to the analysis of foreign authors, the authors present the Russian scientific opinion on this issue. The main conclusions of the article are: (1) besides the popular science theory of the generations of V. Strauss and N. Howe, there is also a scientific tradition of studying generations, (2) the tradition of considering generations defines generation as a social phenomenon, (3) on the one hand, it is necessary to abandon the assumption that in some mystical way people of one generation think the same way, on the other hand, positivist interpretations are equally untenable, making the generation a real social group only on the basis of similar dates of birth. At the end of the article, the main problems that confront modern generational theory, today, are indicated.

theory of generationXYZ generationscientific approach to the theory of generationsproblems of the modern generation theorytheory of generationXYZ generationscientific approach to the theory of generationsproblems of the modern generation theoryСписок литературыAres, F. (1999), Child and family life under the Old Order, Translated by Startseva, J., Publisher Ural University, Yekaterinburg, Russia. (In Russian).Bourdieu, P. (2001), Practical sense, Translated by Shmatko, N. A., Aletheia, St.-Petersburg, Institute of Experimental Sociology, Moscow, Russia. (In Russian).Vagin, D. M. (2017), “Continuity of generations in the field of spiritual and moral values of modern youth in Russia”, Ph.D. Thesis, St. Petersburg State University, St.-Petersburg, Russia. (In Russian).Gurova, R. G. (2000), “Modern youth: social values and moral orientations”, Pedagogika, (10), 32-38. (In Russian).Dobrenkov, V. I. (2006), “Russia needs a national ideology”, Sociologiya, (3-4), 13-19. (In Russian).Dubov, I. G. (2003), “Values and Behavior: Nexus Analysis”, Bazovye tsennosti rossiyan: Sotsial'nye ustanovki. Zhiznennye strategii. Simvoly. Mify [Basic values of Russians: Social attitudes. Life strategy. Symbols. Myths], Moscow, Russia, 182-204. (In Russian).Lezgina, D. V. (2004), “The problem of continuity of generations (in Western European philosophy)”, Ph.D. Thesis, Russian State Pedagogical University. A. I. Herzen, St.-Petersburg, Russia. (In Russian).Cowley, М. (1934), Exile 's Return a narrative of ideas, Norton, New York, USA.Erikson, E. (1950), Childhoodnd Society, Norton, New York, USA.Deverson, J. and Hamblett, C. (1965), Generation X, Tandem Books, London, UK.Hoover, E. (2009), “The Millennial Muddle: How stereotyping students became a thriving industry and a bundle of contradictions”, The Chronicle of Higher Education.Howe, N. and Strauss, W. (1991), Generations: The History of America's Future 1584-2069, Harper perennial, New York, USA.Lagemann, E. (1979), A Generation of Women, Harvard University Press, Boston, USA.Leonard, A. (1993), “The Boomers' Babies”, The New York Times.Levinson, D. (1978), The Seasons of a Man's Life, Ballantine Books, New York, USA.Lind, M. (1997), “Generation Gaps”, The New York Times.Mannheim, К. (1952), The Problem of Generations: Mannheim K. Essays on the Sociology of Knowledge, Routledge & K. Paul, London, UK.Piccoli, S. (1991), “13ers; The story of the new 'lost generation' (and America’s hottest sound bite)”, The Washington Times.Sheehy, G. (1976), Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life, Penguin Group, New York, USA.