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Originalia

HR Management for an Aging Workforce

A Life-Span Psychology Perspective

Published Online:September 28, 2009https://doi.org/10.1026/1617-6391.8.4.201

Abstract

Abstract. Strategic human resource management (SHRM) research has provided evidence for a positive association between HR practices and organizational performance. However, theory-building has not considered developmental dynamics across the working life and its implications for the association between HR practices and organizational outcomes. We call for an extension of current SHRM approaches and suggest adopting a life-span psychology perspective on age-related changes of cognitive capabilities, personality, and affect. Integrating the constructs of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and work motivation establishes a conceptual framework that helps to explain the association of HR practices with performance in an age-differentiated manner. Pertinent propositions address essential facets of the framework for the age-related alignment of HR practices. We discuss directions for further research.


HR Management für das alternde Arbeitskräftepotenzial

Zusammenfassung. Forschung zum strategischen Personalmanagement konnte zahlreiche Belege für den Zusammenhang zwischen Personalpraktiken und Unternehmenserfolg liefern. Es fehlt aber in bestehenden theoretischen Ansätzen die Berücksichtigung altersbezogener Entwicklungen der Mitarbeiter und deren Einfluss auf die Verbindung zwischen Personalpraktiken und Unternehmenserfolg. Wir schlagen vor, in bestehende Ansätze zum strategischen Personalmanagement Erkenntnisse aus der Psychologie der Lebensspanne einzubeziehen, die altersbedingte Veränderungen von geistigen Fähigkeiten, Persönlichkeit und Emotionen thematisieren. Darüberhinaus integrieren wir Arbeitszufriedenheit, organisationales Commitment und Arbeitsmotivation in bestehende Modelle zum strategischen Personalmanagement, um so die altersabhängige Wirksamkeit von Personalpraktiken auf die Leistung zu erklären. Die theoretischen Ausführungen werden in Propositionen verdichtet und Vorschläge für weitere Forschungsbemühungen entwickelt.

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