Impact of Data Visualization on Decision-Making Processes: Perceptions of Generation Z

In today’s dynamic business environment, the focus is increasingly on flexibility, innovation, and adaptation to rapid changes. Achieving these goals requires a deep understanding of business processes and their continuous improvement as part of sustainable performance development. In the context of data-driven trends in performance management and engagement support, the collection, evaluation, and analysis of data play a significant role in achieving strategic goals. This paper aims to analyze the potential for expanding the use of management dashboards and data visualizations in decision-making processes, highlighting their impact as essential tools for performance management from the perspective of Generation Z as future stakeholders. As younger generations gradually take on a larger role in the workforce, their work habits, technological skills, needs, expectations, and behavioral patterns differ from those of previous generations. Results from a questionnaire survey indicate that respondents find data visualization makes it easier to read and evaluate data, and that visualization literacy is important for managers. Respondents believe that using graphs and visualizations leads to higher confidence in decision-making and improves the overall quality of decisions, which are prerequisites for ensuring sustainable performance growth. This paper builds on previous research from various fields on the use of data visualization in decision-making. Our findings provide substantial evidence of the potential of using data visualization to communicate performance. The study suggests the need for further research to verify our conclusions across different generations and levels of practical experience with management dashboards and visualizations in business processes.