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Unshrouding the Sphere from the Clouds: Towards a Comprehensive Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Employability

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  • Bram P. I. Fleuren

    (Department of Work-and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Andries de Grip

    (Research Center for Education and the Labour Market, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, Tongersestraat 49, 6211 LM Maastricht, The Netherlands
    IZA (Institute for the Study of Labor), Schaumburg-Lippe-Straße 5-9, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Netspar (Network for Studies on Pensions, Ageing and Retirement), Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands)

  • Nicole W. H. Jansen

    (Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • IJmert Kant

    (Department of Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Fred R. H. Zijlstra

    (Department of Work-and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Sustainable employability refers to individuals’ long-term abilities to work and remain employed. Despite its societal importance in the light of aging populations and rapidly changing skill demands, sustainable employability still requires further definition and conceptualization. As such, the present paper aims to define and conceptualize sustainable employability comprehensively by reviewing existing studies on the concept. Additionally, the paper discusses and integrates sustainable employment, sustainable work, and sustainable work ability into our broad framework of sustainable employability. The resulting conceptual framework positions sustainable employability as an inherently longitudinal multidimensional individual characteristic that is the outcome of complex interactions between individual-, work- and work environmental characteristics. This framework enables researchers to identify the employment characteristics that promote sustainable employability and thereby comprise sustainable employment. Finally, the framework links to notions of person-environment fit, and job- and organizational design to create a basis for future research on sustainable employability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bram P. I. Fleuren & Andries de Grip & Nicole W. H. Jansen & IJmert Kant & Fred R. H. Zijlstra, 2020. "Unshrouding the Sphere from the Clouds: Towards a Comprehensive Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Employability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6366-:d:395857
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Annet H. De Lange & Dorien T. A. M. Kooij & Trude Furunes, 2022. "What about the Factor Time in Sustainable Employability Research? An Overview of Theory-Based Organizational Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-7, August.
    3. Kerstin Nilsson & Clas-Håkan Nygård & Tove Midtsundstad & Peter Lundqvist & Joanne Crawford, 2023. "Sustainable Healthy Working Life for All Ages—Work Environment, Age Management and Employability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-5, February.
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    6. Eleonora Picco & Andrea Gragnano & Arianna Daghini & Massimo Miglioretti, 2022. "Systematic Review of Intervention Studies to Foster Sustainable Employability Core Components: Implications for Workplace Promotion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Jianwei Deng & Jiahao Liu & Wenhao Deng & Tianan Yang & Zhezhe Duan, 2021. "Redefinition and Measurement Dimensions of Sustainable Employability Based on the swAge-Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Kerstin Nilsson & Emma Nilsson, 2021. "Organisational Measures and Strategies for a Healthy and Sustainable Extended Working Life and Employability—A Deductive Content Analysis with Data Including Employees, First Line Managers, Trade Unio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-29, May.
    9. Sylwia Wiśniewska & Kamil Wiśniewski & Robert Szydło, 2021. "The Relationship between Organizational Learning at the Individual Level and Perceived Employability: A Model-Based Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-17, July.
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