Title: Generation Z's learning preferences: impact on organisational learning and development - a study conducted in a vocational institute in UAE

Authors: Iftikhar Ahmed Khan; Ahmed Hamoud Al-Shibami

Addresses: Naval Forces Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ' College of Business and Accountancy, Lincoln University College, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Abstract: West-based research suggests that Generation Z (youth born 1995 onwards) engages less with classroom-based traditional learning (TL) and prefers interactive e-learning (IL), just-in-time learning (JITL) and collaborative learning (CL). This research, conducted in a vocational training institute in United Arab Emirates (UAE), determines whether UAE Generation Z has learning preferences similar to Western Generation Z, and analyses the impact of these preferences on organisational L&D programs. Results support the existing notion that Generation Z prefers IL more than predecessor generations however, this study has also found that UAE Gen Z does not discard TL as a means for learning and want this mode of learning to go along with IL, JITL and CL. Pearson's r analysis showed significant positive correlations between learning preferences (IL, JITL and CL) and their impact on trainees' interest in organisational L&D programs. Regression analysis showed significant variances in trainees' interest in organisational L&D programs because of using these learning preferences.

Keywords: Generation Z; learning preferences; interactive learning; just-in-time learning; JITL; collaborative learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2019.105646

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2019 Vol.11 No.4, pp.379 - 399

Received: 01 Jun 2018
Accepted: 30 Apr 2019
Published online: 06 Mar 2020 *

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