NextGen 5.0 Leadership in Manufacturing: Tackling Workforce Challenges with a Multicountry and Multicompany Perspective

Abstract

As Generation Z enters the job market, it is crucial for managers to understand how to foster their commitment, especially in the face of challenges like the Great Resignation and the Quiet Quitting. These challenges jeopardize organizational knowledge, innovation, and competitive advantage. In this way, this paper aims to identify the most effective leadership model for managing, engaging, and retaining Generation Z. The study adopts an abductive methodology, combining a systematic literature review on empirical studies about leadership styles that foster engagement with insights from a focus group of 13 manufacturing professionals across different countries. This article enhances the scientific literature with a leadership model tailored to the context of Industry 5.0, Generation Z and manufacturing organizations. Dubbed the NextGen 5.0 Leadership Model, it is built on three core pillars: a growth mindset, emotional intelligence, and a triple purpose.