Browsing by Author "Saarinen, Anna"

This present study analyses quantitatively and qualitatively supervisors’ perceptions and experiences of age management in a metal industry organization in Finland. The study aims to describe supervisors’ thoughts about age management and its implementation in practice: how do they take into consideration different-aged team members in their leadership practices, do they feel they have the necessary skills to support different-aged team members’ working ability, and do they experience the age management as part of organizational culture and strategy. Furthermore, the target of the study is to describe supervisors’ experience of need for an additional support regarding age management. The study is part of an internal career path model –project in the case organization, which emphasizes the diverse expectations that employees representing different age groups have on different stages in their career path. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the concepts of management in matrix organizations, age management, diversity in organizations, working ability, burnout and work engagement, as well as, transitions in career path. The study material consisted of an online survey, which included both open questions and multiple-choice questions. Quantitative data was analyzed with SPSS-program by parametric methods and the content based analyze of qualitative data was carried out according to the phenomenological-hermeneutical tradition based on the theory. According to quantitative data, the participants felt that they take well into consideration different aged employees, their competence development and working ability in practical supervisory work. The supervisors experienced the age management quite strongly as part of the organization's culture and strategy, although the qualitative data indicated that the concept of age management was unknown, and more introduction was hoped. In addition, according to the quantitative and qualitative data, taking into consideration the physical nature of the work appeared as a development area; supervisors experienced that they need practical examples concerning how to use career flexibilities. The descriptions of supervisors also highlighted the fact that supporting the younger team members’ working ability has also been challenging. In addition, less experienced supervisors are more likely to evaluate their skills and resources weaker than those who have more experience from supervisory work and thus, age management themes were hoped to be part of the orientation for supervisors. Furthermore, older supervisors did not experience age management that strongly as part of organization’s culture and strategy.