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The aging workforce: Perceptions of career ending

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Author Info

  • Buyens, D.

    ()

  • Van Dijk, H.

    ()

  • Dewilde, T.

    ()

  • Vlaminckx, A.
  • De Vos, A.

    () (Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School)

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study is twofold. The first is to relate the negative image of older workers to stereotype threat and propose that effective retention management should start with the replacement of this negative image. The second is to assess the needs, perceptions and preferences of older workers regarding their career-ending. Design/methodology/approach - 266 employer questionnaires and 1290 older worker questionnaires identified the employers’ perceptions of older workers and the career-ending needs and preferences of older workers. Findings - The results provide indirect support for the hypothesis that the negative image of older workers forms a self-fulfilling prophecy due to mechanisms of stereotype threat. Furthermore, the results indicate that job involvement plays a crucial role in the preference to retire or keep on working. Research limitations/implications – Stereotype threat promises to be of significant relevance for the career-ending measures of older workers. However, the empirical design of the study limits the possibility to draw direct inferences about the effects of stereotype threat on older workers. Practical implications - Measures and policies aimed at prolonging the participation of older workers at the labor market should be tailored to the specific needs, perceptions and preferences of older workers. Originality/value – The concept of stereotype threat has never been connected with popular perceptions of older workers. Further, the assessment of the needs, perceptions and preferences related to the career-ending of older workers has never been done in European studies.

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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School in its series Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School Working Paper Series with number 2007-29.

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Length: 31 pages
Date of creation: 26 Nov 2007
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:vlg:vlgwps:2007-29

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Related research

Keywords: Retention management; Stereotype threat; Older workers;

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

References

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  1. Romain Duval, 2003. "Retirement Behaviour in OECD Countries: Impact of Old-Age Pension Schemes and other Social Transfer Programmes," OECD Economic Studies, OECD Publishing, vol. 2003(2), pages 7-50.
  2. Espen Bratberg & Tor Helge Holmås & Øystein Thøgersen, 2004. "Assessing the effects of an early retirement program," Journal of Population Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 387-408, 08.
  3. Bratberg, E. & Holmas, T.H. & Thogersen, O., 2000. "Assessing the Effects of Early Retirement Programs," Norway; Department of Economics, University of Bergen 0900, Department of Economics, University of Bergen.
  4. Alícia Adserà, 2004. "Changing fertility rates in developed countries. The impact of labor market institutions," Journal of Population Economics, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 17-43, February.
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Blog mentions

As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
  1. Legitimating inequality
    by chris dillow in Stumbling and Mumbling on 2011-09-11 10:27:43
  2. Sophie & Mario: some economic aspects
    by chris dillow in Stumbling and Mumbling on 2011-01-10 18:21:41

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