Generation Z employees are increasingly entering the global workforce, bringing distinct values and expectations but also facing unique stressors in traditional work environments such as manufacturing industries. Within the Chinese context, Gen Z workers often struggle with rigid hierarchies, repetitive tasks, and limited autonomy, which may compromise their engagement and well-being. Psychological Capital (PsyCap), a higher-order construct comprising self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience, has emerged as a vital psychological resource that enhances resilience and supports positive work outcomes. This paper reviews the theoretical foundations and empirical evidence on PsyCap and its role in strengthening resilience among Gen Z workers. Particular attention is given to intervention pathways, including PsyCap training programs, leadership development, and organizational culture building. The review highlights how PsyCap fosters adaptability, buffers against job-related stress, and promotes proactive engagement in challenging work contexts. By synthesizing these insights, this paper contributes to advancing positive organizational psychology and offers practical implications for organizations seeking to sustain Gen Z workers’ resilience and performance in the manufacturing sector.
Avey, J. B., Reichard, R. J., Luthans, F., & Mhatre, K. H. (2011). Meta-analysis of the impact of positive psychological capital on employee attitudes, behaviors, and performance. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 22(2), 127–152. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.20070
Avolio, B. J., & Luthans, F. (2006). The high impact leader: Moments matter in authentic leadership development. McGraw-Hill.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.
Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (2014). Dispositional optimism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(6), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2014.02.003
Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
Francis, T., & Hoefel, F. (2018). ‘True Gen’: Generation Z and its implications for companies. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513
Li, N., Liang, J., & Crant, J. M. (2021). The role of proactive personality in job crafting: A person–situation perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(1), 130–147. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000490
Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human competitive edge. Oxford University Press.
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227
Newman, A., Ucbasaran, D., Zhu, F., & Hirst, G. (2014). Psychological capital: A review and synthesis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(S1), S120–S138. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1916
Ng, E. S., Lyons, S. T., & Schweitzer, L. (2017). Managing the new workforce: International perspectives on the millennial generation. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Ozkan, M., & Solmaz, B. (2015). The changing face of the employees—Generation Z and their perceptions of work (a study applied to university students). Procedia Economics and Finance, 26, 476–483. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(15)00876-X
Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249–275. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01
Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic leadership: Development and validation of a theory-based measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89–126. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307308913
Youssef-Morgan, C. M., & Luthans, F. (2015). Psychological capital and well-being. Stress and Health, 31(3), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2623
LiYan, & Nordin, N. A. B. (2025). Enhancing Resilience in Gen Z Workers: Exploring PsyCap Intervention Pathways. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(11), 1008-1016.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
