Late Career Decision-Making

A Qualitative Panel Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13018145
AuthorsTRUDE FURUNES (0000-0003-4864-7076, University of Stavanger, corresponding author), Reidar J Mykletun (0000-0001-9212-7233, University of Stavanger), PER ERIK SOLEM (0000-0002-2384-5853, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University), Annet H de Lange (0000-0002-9122-7387, University of Stavanger), Astri Syse (0000-0003-1754-1594, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University), Wilmar B Schaufeli (0000-0002-6070-7150, Utrecht University), JUHANI ILMARINEN
Year2015
Volume1
Issue3
Pages284-295
Publication date2015-05-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueWork Aging and Retirement (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2054-4650 • E-ISSN: 2054-4650
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/workar/wav011
OpenAlexW2281771427
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited33

The aim of this longitudinal qualitative interview study (3 waves of interviews) was to examine the nature of older workers’ late career decision-making processes, including the main drivers and obstacles for prolonging working life or retiring. Late career decision-making is regarded as a process of reflecting and deciding on whether to continue in the current job, change employer, be self-employed, or quit one’s career when approaching retirement. The general results of our interviews revealed that interviewees were positive about continuing to work in their current positions. Job and learning demands were appreciated, and retirement decisions were postponed by 1 year; a consistent theme across the 3 waves of interviews. Only a few changed their opinions completely. Few reported on possibilities for job crafting. Bridge employment was regarded as an alternative to the current employer or as a smooth transition into retirement. Reasons to continue working were multi-faceted; hence, data are presented using a baseline description followed by 5 rich narratives to illustrate the width of the data. Together, these findings suggest that plans for late career and retirement decisions emerge and mature over the years prior to retirement. This study contributes to the understanding of the complex nature of older workers’ late careers, and extends our knowledge of the retirement decision process. The study informs leaders about drivers and obstacles for employees to continue working, and may have implications for future human resource planning and management

Career development · Narrative · Political science · Process (computing · Public relations · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Theme (computing · Employment and Welfare Studies · Labor market dynamics and wage inequality · Psychology · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access