Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management

 

Special Issue on: "Aging Workforce and HRM – Challenges, Chances, Perspectives"

Guest Editors:
Dr. Florian Kohlbacher, German Institute for Japanese Studies, Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Wolfgang Güttel, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria
Beate Haltmeyer, Radlingmayr Career Management Center Vienna, Austria

The shift in demographics and the consequent potential lack of workforce, notably in many industrialised nations, as well as the attrition of skills and knowledge – also termed ‘workforce crisis’ or ‘shortage of skills and talent’ (cf. e.g. Dychtwald et al., 2006) – present a major challenge to companies and societies alike. Even though this crucial issue has recently started to raise the attention of scholars, business leaders and politicians, research on managing the aging workforce is still in its infancy. HRM, especially, is challenged to develop and implement appropriate instruments, strategies and methods not only to cope with the aging workforce but also to benefit from elderly employees. In this sense, HRM has to support both the organisation as well as the individuals. Strategies and measures that can be performed by organisations in order to prevent competence obsolescence and knowledge management initiatives to prevent a loss of valuable experience when experts retire are only a few of numerous questions relating to managing the aging workforce.

The purpose of this special issue is to provide theoretical and empirical research that helps explain how human resource management can provide tools and strategies to manage the aging workforce as well as aging competencies and effectively deal with the challenge of a looming workforce crisis. We seek both research and practice papers, which will enhance our understanding of the topic. Empirical research employing multiple methods, conceptual papers utilising a variety of theoretical perspectives, and practice papers that describe significant application issues, complex real-life situations requiring innovative solutions, or actual implementations of existing concepts or methodology are especially encouraged.

Subject Coverage
Suggested questions and focal areas include but are not limited to the following issues with respect to the aging workforce:

• HRM tools and strategies for the aging workforce
• Career management - individual and organisational
• Remuneration issues
• Working time/hours
• Recruitment issues
• Personnel development tools and strategies for elderly workers
• Health management issues for the aging workforce
• Knowledge management and retention
• Competency management
• Employment and retirement issues
• Strategies and measures for competence renewal
• Alternative career scenarios for elderly workers
• Ethical issues

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere

All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on the Author Guidelines page

Important Dates

Submissions should be sent no later than : 1 October 2007