The New Generation Z in Asia: Dynamics, Differences, Digitalisation

Generation Z, including individuals born from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, is said to be different from other generations before. Generation Z is said to be the generation of digital natives, with multiple identities; a worried and creative generation who value collaborative consumption; and a generation looking forward. The authors present here tentative observations of Generation Z in Asia using theoretical approaches and scientific backgrounds: the authors show how socialisation theory (parents and peer group) and technology (relationship with smartphones) offer meaningful perspectives to understand Generation Z behaviours in Asia. Finally, the authors ask some key questions about dealing with Generation Z in Asia in the field of smartphone use, consumer behaviour (shopping orientation), collaborative consumption (sharing), and work context.

Generation Z makes up 20% of China’s population, and accounts for the highest share of household spend at 13% (vs. 3% for the United Kingdom and 4% for the United States). To advance marketers’ understanding about this group of consumers and capitalise on China’s booming market, this chapter uses rich statistics and information to show that China’s Generation Z has distinct behaviour patterns, which can be attributed to the unique background in which they grew up: (1) rigidity of social stratification, (2) abundance of materialism, (3) digital era, (4) limited (vs. extended) family, and (5) heavy schoolwork. Growing up in such a background, Generation Z’s lifestyle and consumption-related attitudes and behaviour are distinct from their predecessors. The chapter presents specific actions that marketers can take when targeting this distinct group of consumers in China, along with useful guidelines to HR managers for hiring them.

Hong Kong is a significant market with a strong economy, unique geography, and ongoing trade activities in the Asia Pacific region. This city keeps changing after the sovereignty returned to China 1997. Facing this historical change, how do Generation Z adopt these changes? This chapter draws a comprehensive picture of the context for Generation Z in Hong Kong, including political issues, their communication with families and peers, their opinions on consumption, and their preferences in relation to jobs. Instead of saying that ‘they are too young’, we try to understand more about this generation and its specific characteristic

Generation Z in Japan, born between 1995 and 2010, has unique characteristics. First, they are pessimists, which is mainly because of the challenging environment in which they were raised, with long-lasting low economic growth and multiple natural disasters. Second, they are digital natives, with a high level of digital device literacy. Raised in a highly advanced technological environment, they benefit in various ways by leveraging such devices. Also, they value relationships with family and friends, forming very close intimate relationships with their parents and broad shallow relationships with their friends. These unique characteristics turn Generation Z into a careful spender in consumption, and a stability seeker in workplaces. As consumers, they are very knowledgeable using both online/offline information, thus, are very selective and cautious when spending their money trying to prepare for the possible risk in the future. As employees, they are less loyal to companies and value their private life higher than their work life. A guideline for targeting Generation Z in Japan is presented.

Diversity and uncertainty summarise Taiwan’s Generation Z. Diversity because the background of fewer than 3.4 million Taiwanese, which is less than 20% of the overall population, cannot be included in a ‘one-fits-all’ category. As a sovereign nation, Taiwan has developed through various cultural, economic, and political stages. Democratic freedom has given the Taiwanese the right and terrain to de-Sinicise their homeland and politically construct ‘Taiwanese Consciousness’. These points are essential, because this is the societal fabric given to Generation Zers. Apart from national identity, this chapter illustrates the uncertainties that Generation Zers are facing in relation to education, job opportunities, and living standards. It is suggested that conditions are easier for those that have received ‘superior’ education and have enjoyed family-economic support. Their consumer behaviour, Generation Z in the workplace, as well as voters are also carefully analysed in this chapter.

With a population of 472 million, Generation Z in India is the largest in the world. This chapter studies the demographic breakdown of the members of Generation Z, their political and social concerns, their career aspirations, their workplace preferences, and the changing consumer attributes. The research design for this study incorporated a qualitative approach comprising of four focus group discussions (see Appendix). Members of Generation Z in India show common behaviours and preferences with their counterparts around the world. However, members of Generation Z in India have clear opinions and ideas of how youth can contribute to a developing nation like India.

An estimated 52% of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 25, and like their counterparts elsewhere around the globe, Generation Z in Pakistan was born into a world overrun with technology, Internet, and social media. This generation of consumers possess information processing ability that is much faster than any other generation. Generation Z consumers in Pakistan are active users of social media platforms connecting with local and international users, brands and exchanging information, photos, videos, ideas, and opinions with people inside and outside Pakistan. To develop insights into the consumption patterns, preferences, attitudes, and preferences of this segment of consumers, this chapter provides an overview of cultural and social values underpinning consumption choices and social media preferences. The chapter identifies and discusses the dynamic nature of Generation Z in Pakistan by identifying some of its defining features: the generation consists of confident, able, and multilingual consumers who are largely collectivists in orientation but shows strong individualistic tendencies. Such consumers have a global outlook and actively seek engagement with brands via digital platforms and influencer marketers expecting authenticity, respect, and equality. The chapter discusses work-related implications such as the need for providing transformational leadership and training programs to harness the intellectual skills of Generation Z in Pakistan. The chapter concludes by identifying and discussing issues relevant to handling Generation consumers in Pakistan including effective marketing strategies.

Despite several similarities, Generation Z in Indonesia has specific characteristics that might differentiate them from their colleagues from other countries. Socio-cultural factors such as national values shape their behaviours in many aspects of their life. Specific significant life events in Indonesia such as inhumanity among minorities and damaging natural disasters are also believed to contribute to the development of the specific characteristics of Generation Z in this country. The aim of this chapter is to describe these characteristics as well as the behaviours of Generation Z in personal and professional contexts, including their consumer behaviours. Based on literature and publications related to the topic, it can be seen that people from this generation are realistic but confident with their abilities, especially in using technologies. However, there is a need for social interaction, especially with experts such as their superordinates particularly during difficult times. These characteristics will lead to specific behaviours from Generation Z in Indonesia.

Vietnam is an emerging economy in the South East Asia region. Its Generation Z is gradually taking the lead in the country. But rather than breaking away from the previous generations, this generation also shows a strong preference towards local values and solid commitment to social issues. Thus, traditional culture elements are increasingly integrated in every aspect of Generation Z’s life, such as advertising and fashion. Instead of hanging out at coffee places, they go for bubble tea. They still appreciate the traditional values but integrate them within a modern context. Brands chase after these young people by adapting their values into their products and services. In the work place, the Vietnamese Generation Z is less confident. They are partially lost in career development with poor career counselling in the education system. They desire new experience and new learning opportunities. Generation Z, who were born beginning in 1995, emerges in Vietnam as a fresh and promising force.

Generation Z in Malaysia is currently the largest age group representing 29% of the overall population, with a monthly disposable income of US$327 million. The Malaysian Generation Z is an electronically engaged generation and is heavily dependent on their smartphones and social media, spending an average of 8 hours a day on the Internet. They are also well educated, empowered, and entrepreneurial. As consumers, Malaysian Generation Z is influential and independent in their decision-making process. At the workplace, members of Generation Z in Malaysia are curious, caring, competent, and confident. These unique characteristics and behaviours provide specific challenges to deal with them as consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs.

This chapter provides fresh insight into the lives of Generation Z in Turkey, who are described as the generation born after 1995. The chapter uses secondary information harvested from academic and popular literature, and national statistics. In addition, results from a quantitative survey conducted among 237 Generation Z members in Turkey and insights gathered from a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews performed with 12 individuals from Generation Z have been utilised. Understanding Generation Z in Turkey is challenging because the effects of fast digitalisation, cultural globalisation, and new challenges in attaining high-quality education and finding good jobs are not yet fully known. This chapter offers insights on Turkish Generation Z, including but not limited to their (1) future-orientation, (2) multipolarity of selves, (3) identity as consumers, and (4) perceived challenges regarding future work life.

Generation Z is deemed to be digital native and has been attracting the attention of many companies when developing digital strategies to understand their consumption behaviour and their expectations in the workplace. Although research is progressing in relation to understanding Generation Z’s attributes, very little is known in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where a total of 1.4 million individuals who are part of this generation are located. This chapter aims to provide an overview of Generation Z in the UAE, their needs, characteristics, and preferences to enable companies to offer them targeted products and services and a suitable workplace which in turn will positively impact organisational performance. The findings suggest that Generation Z in the UAE has five main characteristics. They are (1) digital natives; (2) highly influenced by social influencers; (3) risk averse; (4) emotionally mature; and (5) highly involved in political debates. Accordingly, we outline directions for future research on Generation Z consumers and managerial implications for employers, retailers, and shopping malls operating in the UAE.

This chapter draws the book ‘Generation Z in Asia’ to a close. It first considers the value of the notion of generations before explaining the contribution of this text. The chapter then reflects on the trends that appear to be common across Asian counties while recognising the differences between them. Finally, the chapter questions whether the positive outlook for Generation Z in Asia will continue into the future.