Membership with Impact: The Value of Older Employee Networks A qualitative study of the lived experiences within an older employee network and its contribution to the inclusion of older employees
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2025-07-03
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This study contributes to the growing body of research about diversity networks by examining which experiences members seek to gain from their participation in an older employee network, and how these experiences contribute to the inclusion of older employees. In doing so, this study sheds light on a perspective that has thus far received limited scholarly attention: the viewpoint of the network members. By conducting semi-structured interviews with eleven members of an older employee network within a Dutch governmental institution, insights were gained into the experiences these members seek to achieve and how these contribute to their inclusion. The findings reveal that identity positioning is a critical condition for the network’s ability to promote inclusion. This highlights the tension between individual participation motives and the collective identity required for inclusion efforts. Additionally, the results suggest that collaboration between older and younger employee networks can facilitate open dialogue about mutual stereotypes, thereby enhancing collaboration and promoting greater inclusion across both groups.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen