The Differences in Instagram Branding Strategies, Leadership, and Decision-Making Competency in Business Practices Between Millennial and Generation Z Entrepreneurs in the Western United States

Abstract

In an era where social media's influence on business success is undeniable, this study explores the heart of modern entrepreneurship by examining whether generational differences shape Instagram branding, leadership, and decision-making competency in business practices among Millennial and Generation Z entrepreneurs in the Western United States. This timely research not only addresses a gap in the understanding of generational traits in the digital business landscape but also challenges preconceived notions about the distinctiveness of these cohorts. Through a quantitative analysis of 78 entrepreneurs, leveraging the Decision-Making-Competency Inventory (DMCI) and the Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), along with a unique evaluation of Instagram activity, this study uncovers surprising parallels between the entrepreneurial tactics of the two youngest working generations. The unexpected absence of significant differences, as revealed by SPSS version 27, offers a provocative twist—suggesting that the entrepreneurial playbook may be consistent across generational lines. This insight holds substantial implications for entrepreneurs, marketers, business strategists, and policymakers aiming to engage with the new trailblazers of the business world. The research unveils groundbreaking findings that not only challenge generational stereotypes but also illuminate the uniting pathways of Millennial and Generation Z entrepreneurs. In-depth assessments of this data could hold the potential to significantly influence the future of entrepreneurial achievement across generational divides significantly.