The Changing Preferences in Job Conditions and Values for Young Adults

Abstract

The Korean young adults’ labor market faces persistent challenges of high unemployment and frequent job turnover. Despite ongoing research on preferred job conditions, there's a gap in understanding how these align with their values. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring how preferred material and post-material job conditions correlate with changes in young adults' values. Logistic regression analysis using data from the young adults social and economic status survey revealed that personal and economic factors significantly influenced both material and post- material values. However, social factors showed no significant relevance. Keyword network analysis of online data indicated a steady maintenance of mentions of material conditions despite a decrease in material values over time. Conversely, post- material values and preferences for post-material conditions increased annually. These findings suggest a shift towards considering post-material factors alongside material needs. Additionally, wage and experience were key considerations in job decisions. COVID-19 induced workplace conflicts, also leading to a preference for stability. Moreover, changing perceptions of age and a growing emphasis on qualitative job improvements and rest were observed.