Impact of Age Norms and Stereotypes on Managers’ Hiring Decisions of Retirees

29 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2011 Last revised: 12 Aug 2011

See all articles by Kasia Karpinska

Kasia Karpinska

Utrecht School of Economics

Kene Henkens

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute

Joop Schippers

Utrecht University - School of Economics

Date Written: May 1, 2011

Abstract

Purpose: Our study investigates the role of managers in the re-employment of early retirees and asks what the effect is of managers’ age norms and stereotypes on managers’ employment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach: A combination of a factorial study and a survey was conducted. First, information on the age norms and stereotypes was collected. Secondly, profiles of hypothetical retired job applicants were presented to the employers, who were asked to make a specific hiring decision. The information collected during both studies was combined in the analysis and multilevel models were estimated.

Findings: The results indicate that higher age norms result in a higher propensity to hire an early retiree. Stereotypes, by contrast, do not influence managers’ decisions. Early retirees’ chances for re-employment are also related to their own circumstances (physical appearance and relevant experience) and organisational forces, as they are hired when organisations face labour force shortages.

Research limitation/implications: With the use of vignettes study we deal with hypothetical hiring situation.

Originality value: Although the effect of age norms and age stereotypes has been often suggested, not much empirical evidence was presented to support this notion. Our study estimates the effect of age norms and stereotypes on hiring decision.

Keywords: Bridge employment, early retirees, age norms, age stereotypes, multilevel models

JEL Classification: -

Suggested Citation

Karpinska, Kasia and Henkens, Kene and Schippers, Joop, Impact of Age Norms and Stereotypes on Managers’ Hiring Decisions of Retirees (May 1, 2011). Netspar Discussion Paper No. 05/2011-049, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1876548 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1876548

Kasia Karpinska (Contact Author)

Utrecht School of Economics ( email )

Janskerkhof 12
Utrecht, 3512 BL
Netherlands

Kene Henkens

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute ( email )

P.O. Box 11650
The Hague NL-2502 AR
Netherlands
+3170 3565235 (Phone)
+3170 3647187 (Fax)

Joop Schippers

Utrecht University - School of Economics ( email )

Kriekenpitplein 21-22
Adam Smith Building
Utrecht, +31 30 253 7373 3584 EC
Netherlands

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