PATTERNS OF PERCEIVING JOB-SITUATION - A CONTRIBUTION TO THE INNOVATION CAPABILITY OF OLDER WORKERS

Current demographic trends indicate an increase in average age within the workforce. The ''junior staff-directed'' personnel strategies of c ompanies obviously no longer fit when the number of older workers incr ease. Based on current research, it is still open in which direction o lder employees present an obstacle for innovation and which interventi on strategies are necessary to promote their ability for innovation. T his study particularly indicates the subjective view of older workers regarding various aspects of their current job-situation. Data collect ion is based on semi-structured interviews with 75 participants (49 me n, 26 women, 45 to 55 years old) working in companies of chemical indu stries in Germany. Results show that older workers have different perc eptions of their job situation. One group feels to be ''successful and socialintegrated'', a second group of older workers ''adjusts itself passively to job demands'', and a third group is ''complaining and not satisfied with the current job situation'' Indicators for innovation abilities are ''to be able to set goals'', ''acceptance of challenges' ' as well as the ''acceptance to take over responsibility''. In additi on aspects of the working conditions and the degree of job-training di scriminated between the three groups. The findings point to a close re lationship between ''innovation capability'' of older workers and ''st imulating working conditions''; conclusions for personnel strategies c an be drawn.