Keywords
sustainable development
corporate social responsibility
environmental initiatives
organisational engagement
How to Cite
Abstract
The aim of the article is to identify Generation Z’s preferences regarding organisational engagement in social and environmental initiatives and to assess their perceived importance. An online survey was conducted among 310 Polish students and graduates of economics-related fields, with responses analysed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results show that Generation Z prioritises pro-environmental actions, such as waste reduction, recycling programs, eco-friendly products, and investments in sustainable technologies. Social initiatives, including promoting diversity, volunteering, and collaborating with non-governmental organisations, were rated lower. Significant gender differences were observed, with women consistently attributing greater importance to both ecological and social activities, while professional-educational status had a smaller impact. Given that the study sample consisted of Polish students and graduates of economics-related fields, the findings should be interpreted with caution, as their generalizability to the entire Generation Z population and to other cultural or occupational contexts is limited. The findings suggest that organisations seeking to attract and retain Generation Z should integrate ecological, social, and ethical aspects in an authentic manner.
References
Andersson, S., Svensson, G., Molina-Castillo, F.-J., Otero-Neira, C., Lindgren, J., Karlsson, N. P. E., & Laurell, H. (2022). Sustainable development—Direct and indirect effects between economic, social, and environmental dimensions in business practices. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 29(5), 1158–1172. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2261
Armstrong McKay, D. I., Staal, A., Abrams, J. F., Winkelmann, R., Sakschewski, B., Loriani, S., Fetzer, I., Cornell, S. E., Rockström, J., & Lenton, T. M. (2022). Exceeding 1.5°C global warming could trigger multiple climate tipping points. Science, 377(6611), eabn7950. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abn7950
Baruk, J. (2021). Wspieranie zarządzania innowacjami rozwiązaniami modelowymi. Marketing i Rynek, 28(3), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.33226/1231-7853.2021.3.2 (in Polish).
Beier, G., Fritzsche, K., Kunkel, S., Matthess, M., Niehoff, S., Reißig, M., & van Zyl-Bulitta, V. (2020). Green digitized economy? Challenges and opportunities for sustainability (IASS Fact Sheet 2020/1). Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies. https://doi.org/10.2312/iass.2020.028
Bhore, M., & Tapas, P. (2023). An exploratory study of factors influencing career decisions of Generation Z women in data science. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 21, a2168. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v21i0.2168
Bińczycki, B., Łukasiński, W., & Dorocki, S. (2023). Determinants of motivation to work in terms of Industry 4.0—The Gen Z perspective. Sustainability, 15(15), 12069. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512069
Broman, G., Robèrt, K.-H., Collins, T. J., Basile, G., Baumgartner, R. J., Larsson, T., & Huisingh, D. (2017). Science in support of systematic leadership toward sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.09.085
Broman, G. I., & Robèrt, K.-H. (2025). Operative system for strategic sustainable development—Coordinating analysis, planning, action, and use of supports. Sustainable Development, 33(4), 4759–4774. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3339
Całek, A. (2021). Pokolenie Z – próba diagnozy. Zeszyty Prasoznawcze, 64(1), 105–108. https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/zeszyty-prasoznawcze/artykul/pokolenie-z-proba-diagnozy (in Polish).
Chala, N., Poplavska, O., Danylevych, N., Ievseitseva, O., & Sova, R. (2022). Intrinsic motivation of millennials and Generation Z in the new post-pandemic reality. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(2), 536–550. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(2).2022.44
Chetty, D. R. V., Boojhawon, R., Bhagwant, S., & Levy, L. (2024). Factors affecting the occupational safety and health of small and medium enterprises in the construction sector of Mauritius. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 100964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100964
Czerwińska, M., & Bojar, E. (2021). Model akceptacji internetowych informacji zdrowotnych przez przedstawicieli pokolenia Z. Wyniki badań pilotażowych. Przegląd Organizacji, 4, 31–40. (in Polish).
Dacko, M., & Płonka, A. (2017). Idea rozwoju zrównoważonego w opiniach i postawach rolników. Roczniki Naukowe Stowarzyszenia Ekonomistów Rolnictwa i Agrobiznesu, 19(3), 38–43. (in Polish).
Eizenberg, E., & Jabareen, Y. (2017). Social sustainability: A new conceptual framework. Sustainability, 9(1), 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010068
Fatemi, M., Rezaei-Moghaddam, K., Karami, E., Hayati, D., Wackernagel, M., & Vasa, L. (2021). An integrated approach of Ecological Footprint and AHP in human ecology. PLoS ONE, 16(4), e0250167. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250167
Feroz, A. K., Zo, H., & Chiravuri, A. (2021). Digital transformation and environmental sustainability: A review and research agenda. Sustainability, 13(3), 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031530
Global Footprint Network. (2009). Ecological Footprint Standards 2009. https://footprintnetwork.org/resources/data/footprint-standards/
Global Footprint Network. (2025). Footprint Data Platform. https://data.footprintnetwork.org
Goel, A., Masurkar, S., & Pathade, G. R. (2024). An overview of digital transformation and environmental sustainability. Sustainability, 16(24), 11079. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411079
Grabiwoda, B. (2019). E-konsumenci jutra. Pokolenie Z i technologie mobilne. Wydawnictwo Nieoczywiste. (in Polish).
Griffin, R. W. (2017). Podstawy zarządzania organizacjami. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. (in Polish).
Grudzewski, W. M., Hejduk, I. K., Sankowska, A., & Wańtuchowicz, M. (2010). Sustainability w biznesie, czyli przedsiębiorstwo przyszłości – zmiany paradygmatów i koncepcji zarządzania. Poltext. (in Polish).
Hetmańczyk, P. (2024). Digitalization and its impact on labour market and education. Selected aspects. Education and Information Technologies, 29(9), 11119–11134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12203-8
Iwański, T. (2017). Przemysł 4.0 i wszystko jasne. Napędy i Sterowanie, 1, 22–23. (in Polish).
Jones, J. W. (1994). High-speed management: Time-based strategies for managers and organizations. Jossey-Bass.
Khodayari, M., Akbari, M., & Foroudi, P. (2025). The sharing economy: A systematic literature review and research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 49(1), e70010. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.70010
Kopacka, P. (2015). Rola lidera w efektywnym zarządzaniu zespołem projektowym. In A. Rogozińska-Pawełczyk (Ed.), Gospodarowanie kapitałem ludzkim. Wyzwania organizacyjne i prawne (pp. 129–142). Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego. https://doi.org/10.18778/7969-890-5.11 (in Polish).
Kuzior, A., Kettler, K., & Rąb, Ł. (2022). Great Resignation—Ethical, cultural, relational, and personal dimensions of Generation Y and Z employees’ engagement. Sustainability, 14(11), 6764. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116764
Ławińska, O., & Korombel, A. (2023). Pokolenie Z jako wyzwanie współczesnego zarządzania przedsiębiorstwem. Relacje, media społecznościowe i crowdsourcing. Politechnika Częstochowska. (in Polish).
Loring, A., & Wang, J. (2022). Engaging Gen Z in professional selling: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(5/6), 413–433. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2020-0120
Lozano, R. (2008). Envisioning sustainability three-dimensionally. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(17), 1838–1846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.02.008
Łukasiński, W., Bińczycki, B., & Dorocki, S. (2021). Kluczowe kompetencje organizacji XXI wieku. Oficyna Wydawnicza Arboretum. (in Polish).
Marek-Kołodziej, K., Łapuńka, I., & Jagoda-Sobalak, D. (2018). Model kompetencji kierownika projektu według najnowszych wytycznych IPMA Project Excellence Baseline 4.0. Marketing i Zarządzanie, 51(1), 259–268. https://bazekon.icm.edu.pl/bazekon/element/bwmeta1.element.ekon-element-000171543406 (in Polish).
Mengoni, M., Matteucci, M., & Raponi, D. (2017). A multipath methodology to link ergonomics, safety and efficiency in factories. Procedia Manufacturing, 11, 1311–1318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2017.07.259
Messyasz, K. (2021). Pokolenie Z na rynku pracy – strukturalne uwarunkowania i oczekiwania. Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Sociologica, 76, 97–114. https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/sociologica/article/view/10196 (in Polish).
Moch, E. (2024). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and its impact on production processes and efficiency enhancements through automation and data networking. East African Journal of Business and Economics, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.1.2109
Moczydłowska, J. M. (2023). Przemysł 4.0 (?) Ludzie i technologie. Wydawnictwo Difin. (in Polish).
Mont, O., Palgan, Y. V., Bradley, K., & Zvolska, L. (2020). A decade of the sharing economy: Concepts, users, business and governance perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269, 122215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122215
Muster, R. (2020). Pokolenie „Z” na współczesnym rynku pracy w opiniach pracodawców. Humanizacja Pracy, 1, 131–146. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12128/13825 (in Polish).
Nowakowska, P. (2023). Zarządzanie zasobami ludzkimi w innowacyjnym przedsiębiorstwie. Zarządzanie Innowacyjne w Gospodarce i Biznesie, 36(1), 49-61. https://doi.org/10.25312/2391-5129.36/2023_03pn (in Polish).
Pandita, D., & Khatwani, R. (2022). Creating sustainable engagement practices for Generation Z: Role of CSR in organizations. Journal of Statistics Applications & Probability, 11(1), 241–254. https://doi.org/10.18576/jsap/110118
Papp-Váry, Á., Pacsi, D., & Szabó, Z. (2023). Sustainable aspects of startups among Generation Z—Motivations and uncertainties among students in higher education. Sustainability, 15(21), 15676. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115676
Rembiasz, M., Borowiec, A., & Czajkowski, P. (2021). Wpływ kompetencji menedżerów na przewagę konkurencyjną przedsiębiorstw jako przejaw intraprzedsiębiorczości – wyniki badania delfickiego. Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Poznańskiej. Organizacja i Zarządzanie, 83, 155–166. https://doi.org/10.21008/j.0239-9415.2021.083.10 (in Polish).
Richardson, K., Steffen, W., Lucht, W., Bendtsen, J., Cornell, S. E., Donges, J. F., Drüke, M., Fetzer, I., Bala, G., von Bloh, W., Feulner, G., Fiedler, S., Gerten, D., Gleeson, T., Hofmann, M., Huiskamp, W., Kummu, M., Mohan, C., Nogués-Bravo, D., ... Rockström, J. (2023). Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries. Science Advances, 9(37), eadh2458. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458
Rzemieniak, M., & Wawer, M. (2021). Employer branding in the context of the company’s sustainable development strategy from the perspective of gender diversity of Generation Z. Sustainability, 13(2), 828. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020828
Sang, Y., Mingjian, X., Xiaolong, B., & Fusen, G. (2024). Does natural resource dependence influence the impact of financial technologies on corporate ESG and digital governance in China's listed enterprises?. Resources Policy, 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104948
Satpathy, I., Litt, D., Patnaik, B. C. M., & Palai, D. (2019). Challenges related to multi-generational workforce in manufacturing sector. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 10(1), 719–724.
Scafà, M., Papetti, A., Brunzini, A., & Germani, M. (2019). How to improve worker’s well-being and company performance: A method to identify effective corrective actions. Procedia CIRP, 81, 162–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.03.029
Serafin, K. (2015). Zmiany i innowacje w organizacji warunkiem budowania pozycji konkurencyjnej we współczesnym otoczeniu. Acta Universitatis Nicolai Copernici. Zarządzanie, 42(3), 117–136. https://doi.org/10.12775/AUNC_ZARZ.2015.037 (in Polish).
Stankiewicz-Mróz, A. (2020). Percepcja elastyczności pracy studentów jako reprezentantów pokolenia Z oraz pracodawców z sektora MŚP. Zarządzanie Zasobami Ludzkimi, 132(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.8778 (in Polish).
Streimikiene, D. (2023). Use of nudges for promotion of sustainable energy consumption in households. Contemporary Economics, 17(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5709/ce.1897-9254.495
Streimikiene, D. (2024). Assessment of green growth in the Baltic States. Contemporary Economics, 18(1), 87–100. https://doi.org/10.5709/ce.1897-9254.527%0A
Streimikis, J., Ślusarczyk, B., Siksnelyte-Butkiene, I., & Mura, L. (2024). Development of circular economy in the Visegrad Group of countries. Contemporary Economics, 18(3), 365–375. https://doi.org/10.5709/ce.1897-9254.543%0A
Talan, A., Tyagi, R. D., & Surampalli, R. Y. (2020). Sustainability: Fundamentals and applications. John Wiley & Sons.
Tapscott, D. (2008). Grown up digital: How the net generation is changing your world. McGraw-Hill.
Thang, N. N., Rowley, C., Mayrhofer, W., & Nguyen, T. T. (2023). Generation Z job seekers in Vietnam: CSR-based employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention. Asia Pacific Business Review, 29(3), 797-815. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602381.2022.2058217
Tomaszuk, A., & Wasiluk, A. (2023). Pokolenie Z – perspektywa zaufania do przełożonych i współpracowników. Przegląd Organizacji, 2, 31–40. https://przegladorganizacji.pl/plik/655672544cac9/po.2023.02.09.pdf (in Polish).
Tran-Thi-Thanh, T., & Nguyen-Thi-Phuong, A. (2023). Exploring the mechanisms underlying firms’ intent to adopt circular business models. Contemporary Economics, 17(4), 389–405. https://doi.org/10.5709/ce.1897-9254.518
Valencia, S. C., Simon, D., Croese, S., Nordqvist, J., Oloko, M., Sharma, T., Buck, N. T., & Versace, I. (2019). Adapting the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda to the city level: Initial reflections from a comparative research project. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 11(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/19463138.2019.1573172
Wickens, C. D., Gordon, S. E., Liu, Y., & Lee, J. (1997). An introduction to human factors engineering. Addison Wesley Longman.
Wieczorek, P. (2018). Czwarta rewolucja przemysłowa – wizja przemysłu nowej generacji – perspektywa dla Polski. Państwo i Społeczeństwo, 18(3), 89–115. https://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-81f54f02-3d65-4724-8abe-912eb4113507 (in Polish).
Zervas, I., Stiakakis, E., Athanasiadis, I., & Tsekouropoulos, G. (2024). A holistic approach to define important digital skills for the digital society. Societies, 14(7), 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070127
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Economics and Environment