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The age dispersion of workers and firm productivity: a survey approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ross Guest

    (Griffith University)

  • Heather Stewart

    (Griffith University)

Abstract

This paper investigates a tentative finding in recent literature that the age dispersion of workers matters for average firm productivity. The reason is not related to differences in the workers’ age specific productivity levels. Rather it is that workers of different ages are complementary in their effects on average firm productivity. The approach is an econometric study for Australia using the only publicly available matched employee-employer data which is extracted from the AWIRS 95 survey, along with data from a small online pilot survey conducted for the purposes of this study. The results support the tentative suggestion from prior studies, using somewhat different methodologies, that a more widely dispersed workforce by age is positive for productivity. This may have implications for human resource management of firms and for public policy, for example in relation to immigration.

Suggested Citation

  • Ross Guest & Heather Stewart, 2011. "The age dispersion of workers and firm productivity: a survey approach," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 14(1), pages 59-75.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:14:y:2011:i:1:p:59-75
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thierry Lallemand & François Rycx, 2009. "Are Older Workers Harmful for Firm Productivity?," De Economist, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 273-292, September.
    2. Ehrlich, Isaac & Lui, Francis T, 1991. "Intergenerational Trade, Longevity, and Economic Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(5), pages 1029-1059, October.
    3. Göbel, Christian & Zwick, Thomas, 2010. "Which personnel measures are effective in increasing productivity of old workers?," ZEW Discussion Papers 10-069, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. Ross Guest & Robyn Swift, 2008. "Fertility, income inequality, and labour productivity," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 60(4), pages 597-618, October.
    5. Creina Day & Steve Dowrick, 2004. "Ageing Economics: Human Capital, Productivity and Fertility," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 3-20.
    6. Guest, R, 2005. "A Potential Dividend from Workforce Ageing in Australia," Australian Bulletin of Labour, National Institute of Labour Studies, vol. 31(2), pages 135-154.
    7. Paul H. Jensen, 2010. "Exploring the Uses of Matched Employer–Employee Datasets," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 43(2), pages 209-216, June.
    8. John Creedy (ed.), 2007. "New Developments in the Economics of Population Ageing," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12568.
    9. Lucas, Robert Jr., 1988. "On the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 3-42, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nathalie Greenan & Pierre-Jean Messe, 2014. "Transmission of vocational skills at the end of career: horizon effect and technological or organisational change," Working Papers halshs-01143496, HAL.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J00 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - General
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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