Generational Communications in the New York City Public Sector Workplace

Generational Communications in the New York City Public Sector Workplace by Nathasha Brooks-Harris MA, Queens College, 2012 BA, Hunter College, 1981 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy & Administration Walden University June 2017 Abstract There is a digital divide between Baby Boomers and Millennials in the way they communicate and use technology in the New York City public sector workplace. The purpose of this empirical phenomenological study was to explore the phenomenon of generational communications between Baby Boomers and Millennials in the New York City workplace and to understand their lived experiences of how they communicate and use technology in their job. The conceptual framework consisted of two theories: Cameron & Quinn’s competing values framework and Prensky’s digital natives/digital immigrants. A total of 21 New York City workers (10 Baby Boomers and 11 Millennials) from various agencies participated in semi structured interviews and answered the DISC Classic Profile, an instrument that showed their communication styles. The data were analyzed using the Stevick-Colazzi method and Dedoose data analysis procedure to find groups of meaning and themes. Research found benefits and challenges of technology that impacted communications; how organizational culture impacted technology use and communications; fears about using and learning technology; differences in relationshipsThere is a digital divide between Baby Boomers and Millennials in the way they communicate and use technology in the New York City public sector workplace. The purpose of this empirical phenomenological study was to explore the phenomenon of generational communications between Baby Boomers and Millennials in the New York City workplace and to understand their lived experiences of how they communicate and use technology in their job. The conceptual framework consisted of two theories: Cameron & Quinn’s competing values framework and Prensky’s digital natives/digital immigrants. A total of 21 New York City workers (10 Baby Boomers and 11 Millennials) from various agencies participated in semi structured interviews and answered the DISC Classic Profile, an instrument that showed their communication styles. The data were analyzed using the Stevick-Colazzi method and Dedoose data analysis procedure to find groups of meaning and themes. Research found benefits and challenges of technology that impacted communications; how organizational culture impacted technology use and communications; fears about using and learning technology; differences in relationships affecting Baby Boomers and Millennials; and differences in communication styles affecting management and subordinates. Recommendations for future research include conducting a similar qualitative study on Generation X and a quantitative study on Baby Boomers and Millennials. The findings of this study will contribute to positive social change through the implementation of reverse mentoring, knowledge management and transfer, succession planning, and human resource management. Generational Communications in the New York City Public Sector Workplace by Nathasha Brooks-Harris MA, Queens College, 2012 BS, Hunter College, 1981 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy & Administration Walden University January, 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Billy and Louise Brooks, and my uncle, Professor Fred R. Brooks—the three people who instilled in me a love of education, as well as started me on my quest of life-long learning. It is also dedicated to my dozens of relatives who died during the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study/Experiment due to being exploited and taken advantage of because of their lack of education. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. It is in your memory that I complete this PhD journey and earn this degree. I love you all; may you rest in peace in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Acknowledgments This journey would not have been possible without support and positive affirmations from those important to me. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I have amended that to “it takes a village to cultivate a doctor. ” My village is huge and has kept me going throughout this grueling process. I thank God for bringing me to this amazing, but arduous journey. I had no idea why He put me on this path, but I was obedient, and the purpose was revealed to me. First, I’d like to extend many thanks to my Committee—without whom this would not be possible. Thank you so much, Dr. Mark Gordon, my amazing Chair who pushed me hard, but made sure I got the work done. Thank you, also, to my Committee member, Dr. Michael Knight, and my first URR member, Dr. Ian Birdsall (now deceased), and my current URR member, Dr. Michael Brewer. Extra special thanks go to my Emmanuel Baptist Sacred Arts, Total Praise, ACTS, and Prime Time church family; Esther Richardson; Darlene F. Mitchell; Tiffany White-White; Kerry Williams; Catherine Petrus; William F. Cooper; John Everett Sr.; Wendell Williams; and Dr. John H. White, who encouraged daily check-ins and kept the positive words of support coming . I have met three wonderful people along this journey who have made it so much easier and enjoyable. There are not enough words to say thank-you and how appreciative I am of them. Merci beaucoup, Patricia Lynn Smith, my fantastic study buddy and friend; Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson, my fabulous dissertation coach who was there unconditionally; Ethel Wilson-Lane, the sister of my heart whom I will love for life; and future doctor Tony Fennell, who checks on me regularly and nursed me from afar when I was down sick with the flu. I must also give props to my online PhD groups who have been there for me 24/7 and have heard my cries for help at 3 a.m.: PhD (Black Doctoral Network); PhD Sisters; PhD Women’s Network; Minority Doctoral Network; Walden University PhD; Walden University School of Public Administration; Scholarly Flow Walden University; Black Academics; and the National Black Graduate Student Association. I could not have done this without you. Please know that I will always be there for others who need help and keep paying it forward. Last, but certainly by no means least, a million thanks to Easton’s Nook, the wonderful academic writers’ retreat. There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe this amazing place that offered me sanctuary and quiet where I wrote much of the final two chapters. If I had a thousand tongues, they wouldn’t be enough to express my gratitude to Jacqueline and Nadine Mattis, the owner and chef extraordinaire at Easton’s Nook. They made the Nook feel like home, like love, and fed my mind, body, and soul. Thank you for all you do and for your incredible encouragement. If I forgot anyone, please charge it to my head and not my heart.