Generation Z is the Boss Baby: What Are Generation Z
Generation Z is the Boss Baby: What Are Generation Z’s Thoughts on Entrepreneurship?
Laquita Joyner-McGraw | 2022
Abstract
The researcher of this qualitative phenomenological study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the essence of the meanings derived from the experiences of a group of Generation Z adult business students enrolled in a public college located in Connecticut. The conduct of this research focused on how these Gen Z business students perceive success in relation to entrepreneurial leadership. The study was conducted to gather information about innovative and emerging technologies, strategies, programs, and training this generational cohort has used in order to become successful with their entrepreneurial endeavors. Drawing on previous studies, the researcher’s intent was to provide deeper knowledge and understanding to the literature-specific concerning educational programs, entrepreneurial training, and innovative resources of the era, which could enhance Generation Z entrepreneurs’ toolkit with the knowledge, experience, and motivation they need to be successful. The findings of the study suggest that it is valuable to understand the phenomenon of leadership and entrepreneurship when Generation Z, as new entrepreneurs, becomes the “Boss Baby” and creates novel entrepreneurship education opportunities with a mentor component. This phenomenological study concluded that a Generation Z entrepreneur (a) possesses an entrepreneurial mindset, (b) utilizes technology innovation for financial freedom to drive change, and (c) leads and inspires people to take the right course of action. Generation Z members’ definition of successful entrepreneurship demonstrated this entrepreneurial mindset and skills, as they described the importance of using innovative educational platforms to generate new ideas, reflect upon these ideas, and take a course of action on them in the future with the assistance of mentors. Future research can further help develop the Boss Baby principle by integrating social entrepreneurial leadership theory, experiential learning theory, and generation theory, which were the three major theoretical frameworks that guided the conduct of this phenomenological study.