FROM SUPERVISION TO DIGITAL TRUST: REDESIGNING MANAGEMENT STYLES FOR THE HYBRID WORKFORCE
FROM SUPERVISION TO DIGITAL TRUST: REDESIGNING MANAGEMENT STYLES FOR THE HYBRID WORKFORCE

Author(s): Inbar Barzani
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Economy
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: hybrid workforce; digital trust; generation z; leadership; employee autonomy
Summary/Abstract: In the evolving landscape of hybrid and digitally mediated work, traditional models of supervision – centered on control, visibility, and proximity – are increasingly misaligned with the expectations and values of younger generations. Recent studies show that digital trust has become a central factor for engagement and retention in hybrid workplaces (Wang et al., 2023). This paper explores how Generation Z employees experience supervision in modern work environments and how managerial reliance on traditional oversight methods may hinder trust, motivation, and retention. Drawing on qualitative interviews with Generation Z employees and Generation X/Y managers, the study reveals a generational divide in perceptions of effective supervision. While many managers emphasize the need for direct monitoring to ensure accountability and productivity, younger employees interpret this approach as a lack of trust (Stiglbauer et al. 2022). For them, autonomy, flexibility, and purpose-driven work are key motivators, and excessive supervision is often perceived as intrusive and demotivating. The findings underscore the need to shift from supervision rooted in control to models based on trust, transparent expectations, and measurable outcomes. This includes redefining accountability frameworks, encouraging self-directed performance tracking, and fostering communication that emphasizes guidance over surveillance. Such models not only align with the intrinsic motivations of Generation Z but also support broader organizational goals related to innovation, agility, and employee engagement (Carnevale and Hatak 2020). This paper contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of management in digitally enabled organizations and offers practical recommendations for adapting leadership strategies to build trust without sacrificing accountability.

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