Redefinition and Measurement Dimensions of Sustainable Employability Based on the swAge-Model

Jianwei Deng, Jiahao Liu, Wenhao Deng, Tianan Yang and Zhezhe Duan
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Jianwei Deng: Beijing Institute of Technology, School of Management and Economics, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
Jiahao Liu: Beijing Institute of Technology, School of Management and Economics, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
Wenhao Deng: Beijing Institute of Technology, School of Management and Economics, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
Tianan Yang: Beijing Institute of Technology, School of Management and Economics, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
Zhezhe Duan: Institute of Urban Governance, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 215123, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-10

Abstract: Objectives: To solve the labour shortage, we clarify the definition and dimensions of sustainable employability, and make it possible to develop sustainable employability scales in the future and lay the foundation for subsequent quantitative research. Finally, people’s sustainable employability can be improved. Highly sustainable employability employees can continue to work in the labour market and their working lives can be prolonged. Labour market supply will increase and labour shortage will be partly solved. Methods: We discuss the concept of sustainable employability based on some previous studies. Our conclusion is that the existing definitions and measurement dimensions are problematic. The swAge-model, a tool that helps us understand how to make working life more sustainable and healthier for all ages, can be the basis of sustainable employability. Results: We develop a discussion paper concerning the definition and measurement dimensions of sustainable employability using the swAge-model with an added factor of intrinsic work value and the dynamic chain. Conclusions: Our definition of sustainable employability takes environmental factors into consideration and makes it clear that it is not a solely personal characteristic, but the result of an interaction between individuals and the environment, thus distinguishing employability from work ability. We use the swAge-model as a basis to make the composition of our definition more logical and informed. Our measurement dimensions are clearly described to facilitate the future development of a scale, and our concept may ultimately help to extend the working lives of older and retired workers and thus solve the future labour shortage problem.

Keywords: sustainable employability; definition; measurement dimensions; the swAge-model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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