Older workers' successful aging and intention to stay

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Journal of Managerial Psychology

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Volume

28

Issue

6

First Page

645

Last Page

660

Publisher

Emerald Publishing Limited

Keywords

Successful aging in the workplace, Intentions to stay, Older workers, Job satisfaction, Individual behaviour, Workplace

Abstract

Purpose – Based on organizational support theory, the aim of this paper is to examine the associations among perceived organizational support, successful aging in the workplace, job satisfaction, and the intentions to stay in organization among older workers. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 242 employees, aged over 45 years, were recruited to participate in a study from May to September 2009. Findings – Correlation showed that perceived organizational support and all five dimensions of successful aging in the workplace, (i.e. adaptability and health, positive relationship, occupational growth, personal security, and continued focus on goals), were significantly related to the intentions to stay in the organization. Structural equation modeling showed that perceived organizational support was positively related to successful aging in the workplace, and the latter is related to the intentions to stay, both directly and via the mediation of job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – All data were self-reported and collected at one time point. Thus, common method variance may be an issue and causal inferences are not warranted. Practical implications – Successful aging in the workplace was significantly related to older workers' intentions to stay. Managers may provide a wide range of organizational support and enhance successful aging in the workplace for older workers. Originality/value – This is the first study to empirically test the relations between successful aging in the workplace and intentions to stay among older workers. Implications of these findings, the limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.

DOI

10.1108/JPM-09-2011-0062

Print ISSN

02683946

E-ISSN

17587778

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Cheung, Y. L. F., & Wu, A. M. S. (2013). Older workers' successful aging and intention to stay. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 28(6), 645-660. doi: 10.1108/JPM-09-2011-0062

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