Seminars topic: The issue of an aging workforce is impacted by various demographic, economic, social, organizational, and psychological factors, making it a significant topic in political debate and scientific research. This presentation addresses several of these aspects, primarily from a psychosocial perspective. Demographic data will be presented to compare the aging current and future workforces in China and Europe. The discussion will then focus on viewing older workers as valuable organizational resources. Their development is influenced by adulthood-specific growth processes, in line with a lifespan approach. The presentation will explore various forms of ageism present in society and within human resource management. We will propose possible organizational interventions to combat stereotypes and discrimination that hinder the full recognition of older workers potential. Special attention will be given to the role of work design as a strategy to adapt tasks and job roles to the specific characteristics and needs of older employees. Finally, we will introduce the concept of subjective age, which serves as a useful framework for understanding the motivations, aspirations, and expectations of older workers.

Scholars Background: Franco Fraccaroli is a professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Trento University in Italy. He serves as the Vice-Rector for Organizational Well-being and Employee Relations. His research interests include aging and late career in the workplace, work stress, psychosocial risks, and organizational well-being. He is a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP). Additionally, he has served as the President of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology. Fraccaroli has been a visiting professor at several institutions, including the University of Toulouse in France, the Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, the University of Valencia in Spain, the University of Haifa in Israel, and Portland State University in Oregon, USA. He has published over 100 articles in international scientific journals and is the author or editor of 16 volumes on topics related to organizational well-being and aging at work.

Time and Location: May 16, 2025 | 14:30-16:00 (GMT+8), Room A723 (School of Management)

Language: English