Intergenerational Communication in the Workplace Among Teaching Staff at Universities

ABSTRACT In organisations characterised by generational diversity, information and knowledge exchange present both challenges and opportunities. Managing intergenerational relationships among teaching staff at higher education institutions necessitates, among other efforts, a critical review of communication processes. However, few studies have explored the implications of generational diversity for organisational communication, particularly in university settings. This study aimed to examine intergenerational communication in the workplace among teaching staff at Spanish public universities. The Workplace Intergenerational Climate Scale questionnaire was administered to 1,751 Spanish academics. The findings reveal that teaching staff exhibit certain age‐related stereotypes that influence communication. When intergenerational communication is perceived as effective, it tends to focus predominantly on academic tasks. Age‐related differences and associated beliefs significantly influence the quality, quantity and nature of intergenerational interactions. Additionally, other variables such as gender, institutional size and the intensification of managerial responsibilities play important roles.