Outcome expectations and work design characteristics in post-retirement work planning

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Today, a growing number of individuals decide to work beyond normal retirement age (Eurofound, 2012). Research has revealed influencing factors for post-retirement work at the individual, job and organizational, family, and socioeconomic levels. However, not much is known about post-retirement work planning and its antecedents. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of outcome expectations regarding post-retirement work and two work design characteristics (i.e., physical demands and social support at work) on post-retirement work planning by applying the framework of social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994). Data from 1065 employees of a German logistics company were used in this study. Results provide support for SCCT to be a suitable theoretical framework for understanding post-retirement career planning and thereby expand the application of SCCT to a new field. Furthermore, multilevel analysis revealed that physical demands were negatively related to the intention to continue to work for the pre-retirement employer after retirement entry, whereas social support at work strengthened the relationship between outcome expectations and same-employer-post-retirement work intention. Organizations who want their retired employees to continue to work in retirement should develop interventions to strengthen post-retirement work outcome expectations. An increase in social support at work as well as a reduction in physical demands may also contribute to increased participation in continued work with the same employer in retirement.
Translated title of the contributionErgebniserwartungen und Arbeitsgestaltungsmerkmale in der Post-Ruhestand Arbeitsplanung
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior
Volume83
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)219-228
Number of pages10
ISSN0001-8791
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.12.2013

    Research areas

  • Business psychology - Outcome expectations, Post-retirement work, Retirement planning, Social cognitive career theory, Work design

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