Value of work in the experience of the young generation of Visegrad countries

Abstract

The paper discusses the issues of experience and value of work, one of the elements of economic awareness of the young generation – students from the Visegrad countries. The paper presents the concept of work and its value according to Ronald Inglehart's value system. An analysis was carried out based on empirical research conducted in April–May 2015 and November 2016 in higher education institutions in the V4 countries (Poland: Katowice, Slovakia: Nitra, Czech Republic: Olomouc/Ostrava, Hungary: Gödöllő).1 In each country, the student groups were selected according to the auditor survey technique. The research covered Bachelor and Master students from four different types of studies: Economics, Management, Technical, Sciences, Medicine, Social Studies and Humanities. The resulting discussion concerns the work experience of the students in V4 countries and their statements concerning the value of work. A comparison will be made among the four national groups. In the “Discussion and Conclusion” part research questions are answered and a complex indicator of the value of work is constructed. The conclusion also contains a reference to Inglehart’s theory and an answer concerning the question in which direction the values of work of the young generation in V4 countries are heading.