The soft-skills characteristics of Generation Z employees: A scoping review and research agenda

Abstract

Orientation: Generation Z (Gen Z) often considered the more educated generation, struggles with employment and workplace success, largely because of a soft-skills gap.

Research purpose: This scoping review aims to define the soft-skills of working Gen Z professionals and explore their most highly regarded soft-skills, strengths, and weaknesses from the perspectives of employers, industry experts and Gen Z employees. The study also identifies the methods companies use to develop the soft-skills of Gen Z professionals.

Motivation for the study: There is no comprehensive scholarly overview of the current state of research on soft-skills and Gen Z.

Research approach/design and method: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported findings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist method. Twenty articles were selected and utilised for this study.

Main findings: Phase 1 identified a lack of consensus regarding the definition of soft-skills and its taxonomy of skills. Phase 2 revealed that communication, teamwork and interpersonal soft-skills were the most valued yet deficient in Gen Z employees. Communication was recognised as their most significant soft-skill asset. Phase 3 showed employers invest in developing soft-skills through online training, coaching, workshops and experiential learning.

Practical/managerial implications: There is ambiguity surrounding soft-skills and it is imperative to develop communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills in Gen Z professionals.

Contribution/value-add: This study provides insights into the industrial perspectives of Gen Z employees’ soft-skills, value-add, shortcomings and training methods.