Generations in the workplace: An exploratory study with administrative assistants

Abstract

To better support older adults in the workplace, this study examines the strategies workers employ to learn software and complete tasks. The purpose of the overall research project is to understand how to help older workers adapt to and remain productive in the workplace. This knowledge may inform the design and development of training modules and software extensions to accommodate the needs of workers as they age. This paper describes an exploratory study in which administrative assistants at an industrial research facility were interviewed and surveyed about their work practices, preferences, and attitudes. The data revealed a high level of communication, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among the assistants. Possibilities for future research are inclusion of workers at other companies and in other jobs, examination of the motivations and attitudes surrounding work behavior, and development of design guidelines for software tools. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.