Understanding the transition to management process of generation Z: Insights from a phenomenological study

The International Journal of Training and Development. 2026. P. 1–15.

Khozin E. R., Плахотник М. С.

First-time managers have received limited attention in academic research, with only a few studies appearing over the years in human resource development and related fields. Today, generation Z has entered the workforce, and many of them are being promoted to management. Therefore, our study explored the transition to the management process for generation Z employees. We interviewed 12 representatives of this cohort and analyzed the data using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings suggest that the transition for first-time managers from generation Z has five facets that can be divided into two groups: dispositional and situational. Additionally, the study offers important insights into the transformation of professional identity during this transition, highlighting the significant roles of values and proactive behaviours. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of our findings, as well as suggestions for future research.

Ключевые слова: generations, first‐time managers, transition to management