Ageing staff in ageing companies? : an empirical analysis using linked employer-employee-data

Abstract

"This contribution investigates the share of older employees (50+) in German companies over a period of 13 years (1996-2008) using the Linked-Employer-Employee Data (LIAB) provided by the German Institute for Employment Research. Based on a framework of organizational demography we interpret the share of older employees in a company as a consequence of natural ageing, labor turnover, and further company-level characteristics which vary over time. Results from fixed-effects panel models indicate that the age structure of a company structure is characterized by inertia but labor displacement and new hires show clear-cut age-specific effects. The share of older employees increases as staff size drops or remains constant and when labor turnover decreases. The share of older employees is positively correlated with an increasing share of part-time workers and with an expansion of routine-based tasks. A negative correlation is found in cases of an increase of staff size and labor turnover, of an expansion of highly-qualified tasks, and of an increase of seniority payments. Drawing on these results we discuss, in conclusion, some potential solutions which might improve labor market prospects within the older workforce." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Schmidt, C., Tisch, A. & Engelhardt-Wölfler, H. (2012): Altert die Belegschaft mit dem Betrieb? Eine empirische Analyse mit 'Linked Employer-Employee-Daten'. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie, Vol. 41, No. 2, p. 101-125. DOI:10.1515/zfsoz-2012-0204