• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.457-475
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• 2021

As Korean society enters an aged society, there is an increasing situation in which various generations coexist in the workplace. This study aimed to analyze corporate reverse mentoring in light of generational exchange. Through the case study methods using literature research and interviews, we categorized the objectives of starting reverse mentoring programs in domestic and foreign companies, and analyzed the possibility of generational exchange with the cases of company A in the US and B in Korea extracted by purposive sampling. Based on social exchange theory, organizational age theory, and generational solidarity theory, the analysis framework presented three propositions: 1) mutual benefit 2) balanced contribution, and 3) sustainability. As a result of the case analyses, there were three main objectives of introducing reverse mentoring: learning IT/social media, promoting corporate diversity, and understanding new trends in the younger generation. In the case of A company in the US and B company in Korea, there was a similarity in mutual benefit and balanced contribution. However, regarding sustainability, there was room for improvement in company B in Korea unlike company A in the US. We expect that reverse mentoring will provide important criteria for success in terms of generational exchange within organizations where various generations coexist in the future.