A roadmap for managing an ageing workforce in the manufacturing sector: An Italian case study
Authors/Creators
- 1. Universita degli Studi di Padova Dipartimento di Tecnica e Gestione dei Sistemi Industriali, Vicenza, 36100, Italy
- 2. Baruch College Zicklin School of Business, New York, USA
Description
As people work longer and populations age, many industries face challenges managing older workers, especially in physically demanding jobs like manufacturing. This study looks at a manufacturing company in Northern Italy to understand how to better support older employees. We used a framework called MAIA that focuses on six important areas, including workplace culture, job design, health, knowledge sharing, how different generations work together, and retirement planning.
We collected information by talking to workers and managers, observing the workplace, and using surveys to measure the physical and mental demands of the job. Based on this information, we developed a detailed roadmap that not only outlines ways to improve working conditions and support older workers but also highlights what actions have already been implemented and which key areas have been addressed within the company. This roadmap identifies gaps and suggests further actions and strategies that can be taken to better support the aging workforce. While we are still evaluating its full impact, we believe this roadmap can serve as a valuable guide to help companies plan and implement effective measures for an aging workforce.
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