Bariery współpracy międzypokoleniowej na przykładzie MSP z powiatu poznańskiego
Barriers to intergenerational cooperation on the example of SMEs from the Poznań poviat

Summary/Abstract: The main purpose of the article is to present the results of research on the identification of key barriers to effective cooperation of the younger and older generations in SMEs in the Poznań poviat. In particular, the article focuses on aspects like stereotypes and age-based discrimination. This subject was chosen due to the fact that over the last years, the process of aging of the labour force has been observed. This situation leads to shortages in the labor market, a decline in investments, an increase in state indebtedness due to the need to pay retirement benefits, and a slowdown in economic growth. Therefore, there is a need to extend the professional activity of seniors by focusing employers’ attention on the needs and preferences of the elderly. However, this is not an easy task in the face of the existence of many stereotypes about old age, which may contribute to an intergenerational conflict and persuade people aged 50+ to quit their professional life prematurely. The research carried out at the SME confirms that stereotypes constitute the second and most important barrier to cooperation between the older and younger generations. These beliefs most often relate to individualism, a weakened physical and mental condition and workaholism among seniors. The article indicates that managerial staff must consistently act to eliminate these stereotypes. The authors propose that companies implement mentoring, shadowing, mixed teams and team building meetings as a solution.

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