Older workers: stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Older workers: stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy

AU - Chiesa, R.

AU - Toderi, S.

AU - Dordoni, P.

AU - Henkens, K.

AU - Fiabane, E.M.

AU - Setti, I.

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - PurposeThe present study aims to explore the relationship between organizational age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy. First, we intend to test the measurement invariance of Henkens (2005)’s age stereotypes scale across two age group, respectively under 50 years and 50 years and older. Then, the moderator role of age groups in the relationship between age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy is investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe survey involved a large sample of 4667 Italian bank sector’s employees.FindingsThe results shows the invariance of the three dimensional structure of organizational stereotypes toward older workers scale: productivity, reliability and adaptability. Furthermore, the moderation is confirmed: the relationship between organizational age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy is significant only for older respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe study suggests the importance to emphasize the positive characteristics of older workers and to reduce the presence of negative age stereotypes in the workplace, especially in order to foster the occupational self-efficacy of older workers.Practical implicationsThe study suggests the importance for the organization to reduce the presence of age stereotypes to foster the self-efficacy of older workers.Originality/valueOur findings are especially relevant in view of the lack of evidence about the relationship between age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy.

AB - PurposeThe present study aims to explore the relationship between organizational age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy. First, we intend to test the measurement invariance of Henkens (2005)’s age stereotypes scale across two age group, respectively under 50 years and 50 years and older. Then, the moderator role of age groups in the relationship between age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy is investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe survey involved a large sample of 4667 Italian bank sector’s employees.FindingsThe results shows the invariance of the three dimensional structure of organizational stereotypes toward older workers scale: productivity, reliability and adaptability. Furthermore, the moderation is confirmed: the relationship between organizational age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy is significant only for older respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe study suggests the importance to emphasize the positive characteristics of older workers and to reduce the presence of negative age stereotypes in the workplace, especially in order to foster the occupational self-efficacy of older workers.Practical implicationsThe study suggests the importance for the organization to reduce the presence of age stereotypes to foster the self-efficacy of older workers.Originality/valueOur findings are especially relevant in view of the lack of evidence about the relationship between age stereotypes and occupational self-efficacy.

KW - SSCI

KW - ageing

KW - age groups

KW - older workers

KW - age stereotypes

KW - occupational self-efficacy

UR - http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/JMP-11-2015-0390

U2 - 10.1108/JMP-11-2015-0390

DO - 10.1108/JMP-11-2015-0390

M3 - Article

SN - 0268-3946

VL - 31

SP - 1152

EP - 1166

JO - Journal of Managerial Psychology

JF - Journal of Managerial Psychology

IS - 7

ER -