Call for papers: Aging Workforce and HRM – Challenges, Chances, Perspectives

http://www.inderscience.com/browse/callpaper.php?callID=570

Call for papers: Aging Workforce and HRM – Challenges, Chances, Perspectives

A special issue of the International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management (IJHRDM)

Important Dates
Submissions should be sent no later than : 31 July, 2007

The shift in demographics and the consequent potential lack of workforce, notably in many industrialised nations, as well as the attrition of skills and knowledge – also termed ‘workforce crisis’ or ‘shortage of skills and talent’ (cf. e.g. Dychtwald et al., 2006) – present a major challenge to companies and societies alike. Even though this crucial issue has recently started to raise the attention of scholars, business leaders and politicians, research on managing the aging workforce is still in its infancy. HRM, especially, is challenged to develop and implement appropriate instruments, strategies and methods not only to cope with the aging workforce but also to benefit from elderly employees. In this sense, HRM has to support both the organisation as well as the individuals. Strategies and measures that can be performed by organisations in order to prevent competence obsolescence and knowledge management initiatives to prevent a loss of valuable experience when experts retire are only a few of numerous questions relating to managing the aging workforce.

The purpose of this special issue is to provide theoretical and empirical research that helps explain how human resource management can provide tools and strategies to manage the aging workforce as well as aging competencies and effectively deal with the challenge of a looming workforce crisis. We seek both research and practice papers, which will enhance our understanding of the topic. Empirical research employing multiple methods, conceptual papers utilising a variety of theoretical perspectives, and practice papers that describe significant application issues, complex real-life situations requiring innovative solutions, or actual implementations of existing concepts or methodology are especially encouraged.

For more information, please see the Journal Call for Papers website.