Comparing Political Inclination in Millennials and Generation Z: The case of two student cohorts (2018, 2025) at Tirana Business University College (TBU)

The goal of this comparative paper is to study the behavioral and professional orientations of two generational cohorts at Tirana Business University: Millennials (Class of 2018) and Generation Z (Class of 2025). The research explores how generational context shapes professional identity, workplace expectations, and early-stage career attitudes, including interest in public and political leadership pathways. As these cohorts represent the emerging workforce and future leadership pipeline, understanding their profiles is critical for institutional and organizational planning. The study focuses on five dimensions of professional identity: leadership style preference, decision-making approach, information and relationship orientation, execution pace, and tolerance for risk and uncertainty. Data was collected through a Likert-scale survey administered to both cohorts, enabling quantitative comparison of attitudinal and behavioral patterns. Results show clear generational distinctions across motivational drivers, communication styles, adaptability, and value orientation in academic and professional settings. Millennials tend to favor structured leadership frameworks, deliberate decision processes, and predictable work rhythms. Generation Z respondents demonstrate stronger alignment with flexible leadership models, rapid decision cycles, digitally driven information processing, and high responsiveness to change, along with greater comfort in iterative learning and continuous feedback environments. The findings offer practical implications for educators, academic leaders, and industry practitioners in shaping leadership development initiatives, curriculum design, and talent strategies that address generational diversity and support sustainable workforce engagement.