. . . the book can be recommended to all with an interest in the issue of older workers in a globalised world. Ageing and Society Early retirement has been a policy to cope with the problems of massive unemployment in many Western welfare states. However, it has become apparent that this strategy is costly and destroys human capital urgently needed in ageing societies. This book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date study of late-career patterns and processes of early retirement in fourteen OECD countries, using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. It is an important contribution to life-course research and will provide the foundation for any serious discussion on pension reforms and increasing the employability of older workers. Hans-Jürgen Andreß, University of Cologne, Germany This timely book investigates the growth of the early retirement trend and its varying spread among different groups of older workers in fourteen modern societies. It argues for a differentiated political approach to reverse early retirement, which relies on both pension and employability policies for older workers. Examining the early retirement trend virtually all modern societies have been faced with since the onset of the globalization process in the 1970s and 1980s, this book provides a thorough analysis of older workers late careers and their retirement transitions, as well as explaining why this trend has developed differently between nations. To promote an effective reversal of the early retirement trend, national policymakers are advised not to concentrate their efforts exclusively on reducing the financial incentives for an early exit still present in most national pension systems. In addition, it is also recommended that they invest in the employability of older workers, implying a thorough reconsideration of the design of education and labor market policies. Dirk Hofäcker presents a unique and comprehensive synthesis of theories describing and explaining the trend towards early retirement, and critically discusses their comparative advantages and shortcomings. Researchers and students of sociology, economics, gerontology, demography and comparative welfare states should not be without this book and policymakers and practitioners dealing with labor market policies will find it invaluable.

This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.

Aging has emerged as a major and urgent issue for individuals, organisations and governments of our time. In this well-timed and comprehensive handbook, key international contributors to the field of study come together to create a definitive map of the subject. Framed by an authoritative introductory chapter, the SAGE Handbook of Aging, Work and Society offers a critical overview of the most significant themes and topics, with discussions of current research, theoretical controversies and emerging issues, divided into sections covering: Key Issues and Challenges The Aging Workforce Managing an Aging Workforce Living in an Aging Society Developing Public Policy

This book analyses reforms to retirement policies in Japan and South Korea, especially in the context of rapid population ageing. A defining feature of the labour markets and workplaces in these two nations, and the lives of workers and families, is involuntary retirement at relatively young ages. The book explains past developments and recent reforms of retirement policies both in the two countries, as well as in a cross-national comparative manner. At the core of the book is an examination of the social, economic and political conflicts around retirement, such as between younger and older workers, between employers and governments, and between employers and workers. The policy recommendations offered apply not only to Japan and South Korea, but also to other nations such as China. The volume is of value particularly for those interested in labour markets and workplaces, population ageing and contemporary East Asia, in addition to those studying retirement and pensions. Policymakers, business leaders, worker organizations, researchers and students will benefit from the insights about the past, present and future of retirement.

This edited collection takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the ‘Active Ageing’ agenda to enable readers to consider the implications of this phenomenon for the law, the workplace, and for working lives from a holistic perspective. Challenges of Active Ageing brings together academics working throughout Europe from different disciplines including law, industrial relations, human resource management and occupational psychology to explore and debate the challenges of the ‘Active Ageing’ agenda for equality law and management practice. Also including shorter contributions from law, human resource management, trade union and other practitioners, this book aims to fully reflect how organizations can adjust their practices to respond to the challenge of an aging population and extended working lives.

The WHO Falls Prevention for Active Ageing model provides an action plan for making progress in reducing the prevalence of falls in the older adult population. By building on the three pillars of falls prevention, the model proposes specific strategies for: 1. Building awareness of the importance of falls prevention and treatment; 2. Improving the assessment of individual, environmental, and societal factors that increase the likelihood of falls; and 3. For facilitating the design and implementation of culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions that will significantly reduce the number of falls among older persons. The model provides strategies and solutions that will require the engagement of multiple sectors of society. It is dependent on and consistent with the vision articulated in the WHO Active Ageing Policy Framework. Although not all of the awareness, assessment, and intervention strategies identified in the model apply equally well in all regions of the world, there are significant evidence-based strategies that can be effectively implemented in all regions and cultures. The degree to which progress will be made depends on to the success in integrating falls prevention strategies into the overall health and social care agendas globally. In order to do this effectively, it is necessary to identify and implement culturally appropriate, evidence-based policies and procedures. This requires multi-sectoral, collaborations, strong commitment to public and professional education, interaction based on evidence drawn from a variety of traditional, complementary, and alternative sources. Although the understanding of the evidence-base is growing, there is much that is not yet understood. Thus, there is an urgent need for continued research in all areas of falls prevention and treatment in order to better understand the scope of the problem worldwide. In particular, more evidence of the cost-effectiveness of interconnections is needed to develop strategies that are most likely to be effective in specific setting and population sub-groups.

ÔAs its title implies, this book by three distinguished scholars puts a cultural perspective at the front and center of issues relating to current approaches to managing complex organizations. It does this by covering the most recent relevant findings by researchers from around the world and, most importantly, interpreting those findings in ways that provide useful guidelines and approaches for those in positions of organizational responsibility. For anyone studying or practicing management in challenging global-oriented contexts this volume is essential Ð and highly interesting Ð reading.Õ Ð Lyman W. Porter, University of California, US ÔThis book is a tour-de-force and a must-read for any scholar and practitioner who is interested in managing global organizations. From such topics as how to motivate, reward, lead, manage conflict, and structure work in different cultural contexts, the authors provide critical insights into how culture shapes all aspects of organizational behavior and a compelling vision of the future that awaits multinational and global organizations. Bravo to the authors for providing the field with a gold mine of information on managing organizations across cultures!Õ Ð Michele Joy Gelfand, University of Maryland, US ÔThis book represents the very best of academic as well as field intensive thinking about cultural and global issues in organizations. While many people have focused on cultural and global issues in the past several decades, the field has largely lacked a systematic review and analysis of these issues in specific contexts. What Bhagat, Triandis and McDevitt offer the reader is a wonderfully comprehensive analysis of key issues of culture in organizations. This is absolutely a ÒmustÓ reading for every serious scholar of global organizations.Õ Ð Chris Earley, Purdue University, US ÔThis is an important book dealing with the increasingly important phenomenon of international business ventures and the globalization of management, markets, and careers. Drs. Bhagat, Triandis, and McDevitt have produced a challenging and highly readable book in which they analyze such key concepts as intercultural communication, job satisfaction in culturally diverse workplaces, the additional workplace stressors brought on by international business alliances, the importance of working with others in groups and on teams charged with task completion, and the transfer of technology among people with different but overlapping skill sets and knowledge. This book will find a valued place in the libraries of international managers, graduate students contemplating careers in international business, and trainers who take on the challenge of preparing people for assignments in countries other than their own.Õ Ð Richard Brislin, University of Hawaii, US ÔIssues of cultural variations in the management of global organizations are of great importance in the 21st century. In developing this book, these three authors bring a wealth of academic knowledge, practical insights from their consulting and worldwide travels in presenting us a coherent picture of how the world of work organizations have changed in response to cultural differences and synergies. The 14 chapters cover all of the important aspects of organization behavior and theory including recent topics like global management focused on the creation and transfer of organizational knowledge. This book is a must read for all students interested in understanding the fundamentals of cultural differences and how they affect the management of global organizations.Õ Ð Kwok Leung, City University of Hong Kong, China The globalization of business is a reality that confronts organizations of all sizes from different nations and cultures. This book serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding the nature of cultural variations that affect important aspects of organizational behavior. The authors expertly cover all of the relevant functions that managers are concerned with in the process of managing global organizations. Various research-based theories and findings are discussed to explain the significance of cultural variations in these phenomena. Readers will gain a clear perspective on how cultural variations have the potential to affect organizational functioning and effectiveness across national borders. A mastery of the fundamental concepts and issues covered in this book will enable future managers of multinational and global corporations to become more effective in dealing with people in different countries and enhance organizational effectiveness on an ongoing basis. Scholars and students will also find this book a path-breaking resource for understanding this important topic.

The WHO World report on ageing and health is not for the book shelf it is a living breathing testament to all older people who have fought for their voice to be heard at all levels of government across disciplines and sectors. - Mr Bjarne Hastrup President International Federation on Ageing and CEO DaneAge This report outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing built around the new concept of functional ability. This will require a transformation of health systems away from disease based curative models and towards the provision of older-person-centred and integrated care. It will require the development sometimes from nothing of comprehensive systems of long term care. It will require a coordinated response from many other sectors and multiple levels of government. And it will need to draw on better ways of measuring and monitoring the health and functioning of older populations. These actions are likely to be a sound investment in society's future. A future that gives older people the freedom to live lives that previous generations might never have imagined. The World report on ageing and health responds to these challenges by recommending equally profound changes in the way health policies for ageing populations are formulated and services are provided. As the foundation for its recommendations the report looks at what the latest evidence has to say about the ageing process noting that many common perceptions and assumptions about older people are based on outdated stereotypes. The report's recommendations are anchored in the evidence comprehensive and forward-looking yet eminently practical. Throughout examples of experiences from different countries are used to illustrate how specific problems can be addressed through innovation solutions. Topics explored range from strategies to deliver comprehensive and person-centred services to older populations to policies that enable older people to live in comfort and safety to ways to correct the problems and injustices inherent in current systems for long-term care.

This book brings together Eastern and Western perspectives to explore human resource interventions into extending working life, including phased retirement, healthy work environments and lifelong learning. It assesses issues of implementation in differing cultural, intergenerational, institutional and family contexts.