Abstract
Our study is timely and offers solutions to the documented decline in entrepreneurial thinking among Gen Zers, a shift that will negatively impact a variety of organizations including those devoted to climate response (Peschl et al., 2021). To offer fresh strategies for organizational learning, we draw on a rich original data set comprised of over two hundred Gen Zers from whom we gathered multi-method survey, focus group, and in-depth interview data. Our respondents are recent alumni of an organizational program in which Gen Zers are placed around the world with social entrepreneurs creating sustainable opportunities that advance clean energy, potable water, and green energy. Analyzing experiential interventions, we find that an entrepreneurial mindset may be inculcated that 1) awakens Gen Zers’ self-confidence as change makers in organizations at the forefront of combating climate change, 2) gives Gen Zers communication skills to grow as organizational problem solvers as team members, and 3) strengthens future commitment to serving in a variety of organizations related to sustainability. Detailing the elements of successful experiential learning, we offer replicable recommendations to organizations ideally suited to the inculcation of the change-maker mindset among Gen Zers as dynamic organizational members and future leaders addressing a host of problems related to climate change.
Presenters
Jeremy SchulzResearch Scientist, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, UC Berkeley, California, United States Morgan Vodzak
Katia Moles
Adjunct Lecturer, Engineering, Santa Clara University, California, United States Laura Robinson
Professor and Faculty Associate, Sociology and Berkman Klein Center Center, SCU and HBKC, California, United States Laura Robinson
Professor and Faculty Associate, Sociology and Berkman Klein Center Center, SCU and Harvard BKC, California, United States Laura Robinson
Professor, Sociology, SCU, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—The Future We Want: Organizational Responsibilities for Climate Responses
KEYWORDS
Organizational Learning, Organizational Communication, Social Entrepreneurship, Gen Z, Sustainability
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