Employees 55+ - valuable resource in SMEs

Abstract

Among the factors influencing the competitiveness of modern enterprises the so-called intangible resources at the disposal of the enterprise seem to be crucial — they include, i.a., the quality of its human and intellectual capital. In the era of an ageing population and shrinking labour force, more and more attention is paid to optimizing the use of the potential of employees representing older age groups. The article relates to the problem of exploiting the potential of workers aged 55 years or more to build the competitiveness of the SME sector. The aim of the study was an attempt to formulate an answer to the question whether entrepreneurs and managers are able to identify the potential of older workers and whether they use this potential to build the competitiveness of their enterprises. The article is based on the results of a survey conducted among 61 managers of SMEs participating in international project Best Agers Lighthouses .

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ss.85.3.8413