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A Lifespan Perspective on Intrinsic Motivation and Workplace Democracy

Holmberg, Robert LU and Nilsson, Kerstin LU orcid (2026) p.67-81
Abstract
In this paper we argue that too little attention has been directed to age-related psychological and relational conditions for creating viable forms of democracy in the workplace. Working life is complex and there are many factors throughout the working life journey that affect individuals and how they feel, can, want, have the energy, are heard, motivated and cope with their working life. Currently, retirement age and pensions are being postponed in most countries and more and more people will work to an older age in the future. Ageing in working life and the situation of older employees in the workplace is therefore very relevant. Age could and needs to be defined variously in relation to different areas of work-life participation and... (More)
In this paper we argue that too little attention has been directed to age-related psychological and relational conditions for creating viable forms of democracy in the workplace. Working life is complex and there are many factors throughout the working life journey that affect individuals and how they feel, can, want, have the energy, are heard, motivated and cope with their working life. Currently, retirement age and pensions are being postponed in most countries and more and more people will work to an older age in the future. Ageing in working life and the situation of older employees in the workplace is therefore very relevant. Age could and needs to be defined variously in relation to different areas of work-life participation and employability. Chronological, biological, cognitive and social age and ageing during an increasingly longer working life affect in different ways individuals’ opportunity for motivation, power and workplace democracy. A systematic approach as the SwAge-model, to facilitate working life for all ages, and a lifespan perspective on intrinsic motivation and workplace democracy is needed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Workplace Democracy : Past, Present and Potential Futures - Past, Present and Potential Futures
editor
Mathieu, Christopher
pages
67 - 81
publisher
Springer Nature
ISBN
978-3-032-02774-0
978-3-032-02773-3
DOI
10.1007/978-3-032-02774-0_3
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f1de5827-bad4-4fc6-81a8-47d2e83efe4d
date added to LUP
2026-01-07 16:16:38
date last changed
2026-01-09 02:16:59
@inbook{f1de5827-bad4-4fc6-81a8-47d2e83efe4d,
  abstract     = {{In this paper we argue that too little attention has been directed to age-related psychological and relational conditions for creating viable forms of democracy in the workplace. Working life is complex and there are many factors throughout the working life journey that affect individuals and how they feel, can, want, have the energy, are heard, motivated and cope with their working life. Currently, retirement age and pensions are being postponed in most countries and more and more people will work to an older age in the future. Ageing in working life and the situation of older employees in the workplace is therefore very relevant. Age could and needs to be defined variously in relation to different areas of work-life participation and employability. Chronological, biological, cognitive and social age and ageing during an increasingly longer working life affect in different ways individuals’ opportunity for motivation, power and workplace democracy. A systematic approach as the SwAge-model, to facilitate working life for all ages, and a lifespan perspective on intrinsic motivation and workplace democracy is needed.}},
  author       = {{Holmberg, Robert and Nilsson, Kerstin}},
  booktitle    = {{Workplace Democracy : Past, Present and Potential Futures}},
  editor       = {{Mathieu, Christopher}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-032-02774-0}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{67--81}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Nature}},
  title        = {{A Lifespan Perspective on Intrinsic Motivation and Workplace Democracy}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02774-0_3}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-032-02774-0_3}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}