The place and importance of generation Z in working life in the Industry 4.0 process: A comparison of Azerbaijan and Turkey

The aim of this study, which deals with the evaluation and examination of the Industry 4.0 process, which is one of the important developments of technological developments and working life today, and the Z generation, which is the new generation of the 21st century, together; It can be explained as understanding the place and importance of the Z generation in working life and at the same time revealing the different aspects of this generation from the previous generations. On the other hand, the characteristic features of the Z generation and its positive and negative sides are also included. The first industrial revolution started between 1780 and 1850 with the use of coal and steam energy in factories instead of human muscle power. With the discovery of electricity, mass production was started and the production gained momentum and passed into the second industrial revolution. The third industrial revolution gained momentum with the emergence of the internet. The fourth industrial revolution has led to a new transformation and has led to the emergence of digital technology in the information age. The new and young generation of the 21st century, which is intertwined with technology, is called the Z generation. The Z generation, which is seen as a young generation, has access to information faster and easier than the previous generations. The most basic features that define the Z generation are trust, freedom, individuality, dependence on technology and speed. Z Generation is in contact with family, friends and work friends using digital technology tools. For individuals in the Z generation, a life without internet is almost impossible. They act quickly in their daily lives and easily fulfill the given tasks. Considering the work done by technology experts for the Z generation, it is stated that robots will take place in production in 2025 and this rate will increase to 45 percent. It is stated that in the 21st century, there will be no need for human power anymore. In general, the development of information and technology is inevitable for the Z generation in their future career and business life. In this study, the situations of the Z generation in working life in Turkey and Azerbaijan were examined and recommendations and suggestions were made on the issues that the managers in the workplaces should pay attention to for successful and quality management. Keywords: Industry 4.0, Generation Z, Working Life, Generations, Technology