YOUNGER SUPERVISOR OLDER SUBORDINATE DYADS - A RELATIONSHIP OF COOPERATION OR RESISTANCE

With the increase in the number of younger supervisor-older subordinate dyads in the workplace, there is a need to reexamine age-based beliefs held by supervisors toward their subordinates. 192 individuals in three age groups (20s, 30s, and 40s and above) were surveyed to assess the extent to which they felt older subordinates would cooperate with younger supervisors or resist their leadership. Analysis of ratings indicated that individuals in their 20s reported a belief of significantly less cooperation and significantly more resistance on the part of older subordinates than subjects 40 yr. or older. Implications of these results for management training programs are discussed.