Older workers and organizational change: corporate memory versus potentiality

International Journal of Manpower - 2010
PhilipTaylor1, LibbyBrooke2, ChristopherMcLoughlin1, TiaDi Biase2
1Office of the Pro‐Vice Chancellor and President, Monash University, Churchill, Australia
2Business, Work and Ageing Centre for Research, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia

Tóm tắt

PurposeDrawing on the recent work of Sennett and others who considered the position of older workers in dynamic economies subject to rapid change, this paper aims to examine the perceived fit between employees of different ages and their employing organizations in four Australian workplaces.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of qualitative data, collected among workers and managers in four Australian organizations, was performed.FindingsResults suggests that potentiality tended to be prized as an asset over corporate memory. While managers were frequently paternalistic towards their older employees, ageing human capital was often devalued as managers tried to balance operational budgets and organizations sought to remain responsive to changing market demands.Originality/valueThe paper discusses the implications for the prolongation of working lives.

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International Journal of Manpower

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