Abstract:

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The aging of the population is considered one of the most significant challenges facing Europe. For organizations, the main impact is on how to maintain this increasingly age-diverse workforce healthy, productive and engaged over time. Sustaining well-being and functioning at work depends not just on the resources provided by organizations but also on how individuals effectively manage their available and future resources. The main goal of this research was to study how workers better adapt to work during the process of aging. Based on the conservation of resources model, the job demand-resources model, the person-environment fit theory, the job design and the lifespan literatures, three empirical studies were conducted. The first study analyses the relationship between work engagement and age, and how job resources are valued by young, middle-aged, and old employees. The second study analyses how fit or misfit between demands and abilities, needs and resources is perceived, and what regulation strategies are adopted in order to sustain well-being. The third study investigates job crafting as a mediator in the relationship between SOC and well-being (work engagement and burnout). Knowing how to sustain well-being at work through the effective use of personal and contextual resources is critical, especially in times of increased burnout and extended working lives. Addressing age-related changes and considering the importance of organizational resources to well-being can help promote active aging.

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This PhD Dissertation was presented by Filipa Marques as part of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management. You can access the paper here.

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