Motivation Problems for Generation Z Employees in Chinese Small and Medium-Sized High-Tech Enterprises

By the end of 2022, the number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in China exceeded 52 million, accounting for more than 99% of the total number of enterprises in China. High-tech enterprises, as an essential part of modern Chinese industry, are increasingly being studied around small and medium-sized high-tech enterprises. Consequently, the issue of employee motivation in enterprises is gradually becoming a new direction of research. As Generation Z completes education and takes up positions in enterprises en masse, the transformation of the development of modern companies begins. Objective: This article focuses on the employees of Generation Z in Chinese small and medium-sized high-tech enterprises (SMEs). Based on the analysis of open data, academic literature, and historical context, the paper explores the key characteristics and analyzes the problems of motivation. Methodology: This paper mainly uses the general logical method of combining theory and practice, such as historical comparison, literature analysis, synthesis, generalization, induction, etc. Results: Generation Z employees in Chinese ICSWTs are characterized by a high level of education, high spiritual aspirations, diverse and new needs, a desire for timely feedback, a desire for recognition, and excessive psychological pressure. Chinese ICSWTs have a single method for motivating Generation Z employees, a lack of respect for employee differences, complex and slow promotion channels, limited training opportunities, insufficient corporate culture, and a lack of sufficient psychological support for employees, all of which need to be addressed. Conclusion: Generation Z employees in Chinese ICSWTs are unique and epochal in nature and cannot continue to use the same methods. Therefore, ICSWTs require a rethinking of motivational approaches to achieve maximum effectiveness, understand real needs, and develop unique incentives that meet them.