Age structure of the workforce and firm performance

Christian Grund and Niels Westergaard‐Nielsen
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Niels Westergaard-Nielsen ()

International Journal of Manpower, 2008, vol. 29, issue 5, 410-422

Abstract: Purpose - Given the ongoing demographic change in European countries, this paper aims to explore empirically the link between age structures of employees in firms and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach - Based on theoretical considerations, the paper examines the link between both the average age and the standard deviation of employees' age and firms' value added per employee. Linked employer employee data of all private‐sector firms in Denmark with at least 20 employees is used. Findings - A pyramidal or inverse U‐shaped interrelation is found between mean age and standard deviation of age and value added per employee, respectively. Research limitations/implications - It would be interesting to determine whether the results hold for different countries with other institutional environments. Originality/value - This is the first paper to examine the link between corporate age structures and firm performance for a whole country. The paper gives insights for both academic scholars and practitioners, who may take the results into account in formulating an efficient personnel policy.

Keywords: Company performance; Age groups; Organizational structures; Demographics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (49)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Age Structure of the Workforce and Firm Performance (2005)
Working Paper: Age Structure of the Workforce and Firm Performance (2005)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijmpps:v:29:y:2008:i:5:p:410-422

DOI: 10.1108/01437720810888553

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