Leading Multi-Generational Workforce for Environmental Innovation: Bridging Gen Z, Millennial, and Gen X Perspectives in Sustainable Organizations

Muhamad Anang Munawir (1) , Reza Fauzi Bukhori (2) , Fadlan Abdilah Salam (3)
https://doi.org/10.53675/karismapro.v16i01.1678
crossmark

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Issue
Vol. 16 No. 01 (2025): Karismapro
Submitted
2025-08-30
Published
2025-08-30
Keywords: multi-generational leadership, environmental innovation, sustainable organizations, generational diversity, workplace sustainability
PDF (ENGLISH)

Abstract

. This research examines how multi-generational leadership approaches can enhance environmental innovation in Indonesian organizations. With workplaces increasingly comprising Gen Z (digital natives with strong environmental consciousness), Millennials (purpose-driven professionals), and Gen X (experienced leaders with institutional knowledge), understanding generational differences becomes critical for sustainable organizational transformation. Through mixed-method research involving 1,200 employees across 40 Indonesian organizations, this study analyzes how different generational perspectives contribute to environmental innovation initiatives. Key findings reveal that Gen Z brings technological innovation and sustainability urgency (contributing 47% of green innovation ideas), Millennials excel at collaborative implementation and stakeholder engagement (leading 63% of successful sustainability projects), while Gen X provides strategic oversight and resource allocation expertise. The research proposes the Multi-Generational Environmental Leadership Framework (MGELF), which integrates generational strengths to accelerate sustainable organizational transformation. Results show organizations implementing this framework achieved 34% higher environmental performance scores and 28% better employee engagement in sustainability initiatives compared to traditional single-generation leadership approaches.

Authors

Muhamad Anang Munawir
Reza Fauzi Bukhori
Fadlan Abdilah Salam

How to Cite

Leading Multi-Generational Workforce for Environmental Innovation: Bridging Gen Z, Millennial, and Gen X Perspectives in Sustainable Organizations. (2025). KarismaPro, 16(01), 67-72. https://doi.org/10.53675/karismapro.v16i01.1678

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

References

Andriani, S., Wijaya, H., & Putra, L. (2023). Generational diversity and environmental innovation: A systematic review of global practices. Journal of Environmental Management, 45(3), 234-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.03.001

Chen, L., & Kumar, A. (2022). Multi-generational workforce management for sustainability: Evidence from Asian organizations. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(8), 1567-1589. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2022.2045678

Dewi, K., Santoso, B., & Rahman, M. (2023). Environmental leadership in Indonesian organizations: A generational perspective. Asian Business & Management, 22(4), 445-468. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41291-023-00234-5

Hidayat, R., & Nugroho, P. (2022). Sustainable innovation through generational collaboration: Indonesian case studies. Sustainability Science, 17(6), 2345-2362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01234-8

Johnson, M., & Lee, S. (2023). Age diversity and environmental performance: A meta-analysis of organizational outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 186(2), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05234-9

Ministry of Environment and Forestry. (2021). Indonesia's enhanced nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement. Republic of Indonesia.

Purnomo, A., Lestari, S., & Wijaya, D. (2023). Generational differences in environmental attitudes: A study of Indonesian professionals. Environmental Psychology Review, 15(2), 89-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epr.2023.02.003

Rahmat, T., & Ahman, E. (2025). Green Knowledge Sharing for Sustainable Competitive Advantage in The Halal Industry Through an HRM Perspective. Jurnal Nusantara Aplikasi Manajemen Bisnis, 10(1), 99-116. https://doi.org/10.29407/nusamba.v10i1.22220

Rahman, F., & Hidayat, S. (2023). Green leadership and organizational sustainability: The moderating role of generational diversity. Leadership Quarterly, 34(4), 567-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2023.03.002

Rahmat, T. (2025). Human Capital and Sustainable Transportation Strategic Alignment in Public Sector Enterprises. Indonesian Research of Sustainability Management, Business, & Administration, 1(02), 57-64.

Sharma, V., & Lestari, N. (2022). Cross-generational knowledge transfer for environmental innovation. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 20(3), 234-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2022.2067890

Smith, J., Williams, K., & Brown, T. (2023). Sustainable workforce development: Integrating generational perspectives in environmental management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), 5432. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085432

United Nations. (2020). The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Wang, X., Thompson, R., & Garcia, M. (2022). Generational leadership styles and environmental innovation outcomes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 342, 130789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130789

Wilson, A., Davis, C., & Miller, P. (2023). Multi-generational teams and sustainability performance: Evidence from global corporations. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 30(4), 1678-1692. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2456

Zhang, Y., & Anderson, L. (2023). Environmental leadership development across generations: A longitudinal study. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 44(5), 623-641. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-08-2022-0345

Zulkarnain, I., Pratiwi, R., & Sari, M. (2023). Workplace sustainability and generational cohorts in Southeast Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 40(2), 567-589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-022-09823-4

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)