Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

School of Leadership and Human Resource Development

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Along with the increase in the number of older people globally, is an increase in the number of older people in the labor force. Older adults increasingly represent a large segment of the working population. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore workplace aging, with specific reference to Jamaica’s finance sector, in relation to organizational preparedness for the aging workforce.

This study examined aging from an organizational perspective, a national perspective, and an individual perspective, through the lens of Baby Boomers. The study was framed through the lens of the Four Frames Model, and the Metaperspectives Theory, which guided the study from an organizational perspective. The Metaperspectives theory also guided the study from a national perspective. Transition theory framed the study from a Baby Boomer standpoint.

The study included two multinational corporations in Jamaica’s finance sector. Eight participants took part in the study, five were Human Resource representatives who worked for the participating organizations, two were Baby Boomers, and one was a government representative who works with the National Council for Senior Citizens in Jamaica. Data were collected by conducting face-to-face and telephone interviews, and by reviewing policy documents from the companies and the government entity. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed thereafter.

Several themes emerged from the data, key among these (i) retirement planning and preparation and (ii) succession planning. These themes were consistent across organizations and Baby Boomers. At the national level, the themes which emerged were (i) government preparedness for the aging workforce and (ii) employment and the aging workforce. Findings from the study indicate that both companies employ similar organizational practices although there are distinct differences in how they are preparing for the aging workforce. Additional findings reveal that there are inconsistencies amongst organizational practices in one participating company. This study has implications for academic theory and practice in the field of Human Resource Development, and it is expected to contribute to the research on aging in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. It is also anticipated that the study will ignite ongoing discussion on aging in the Jamaican workplace.

Date

6-20-2019

Committee Chair

Robinson, Petra

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4979

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