an article by Vanesa Fuertes, Valerie Egdell and Ronald McQuaid (Employment Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, UK) published in Employee Relations Volume 35 Issue 3 (2013)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of age management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data collection and exploratory research with six SMEs comprising of: initial interviews with representatives from the SMEs; action research activities designed to raise awareness of age management issues and age discrimination legislation; and follow-up interviews to ascertain if awareness raising activities resulted in any changes, or planned changes, in policy, practice and attitudes towards older workers.
Findings
Good practice in age management can be found in SMEs, but was not found to be part of a systematic strategy. Negative practices and attitudes towards older workers are observed, with positive and negative age stereotypes coexisting. Negative stereotypes displayed can undermine the perceived economic value of older workers. There may be a gap between policy and practice, but awareness raising campaigns that reach employers can influence existing ways of working by showing the benefits of an age diverse workforce and helping reduce prejudices against older workers.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small and context specific. However, the study usefully illustrates different approaches to age management policies and practices in SMEs, and the potential benefits of age management awareness in influencing attitudes and practices towards older workers in SMEs.
Originality/value
The experience of age management in SMEs is under researched and examples of good practice in age management are often drawn from large organisations. The paper highlights that SMEs often lack the resources to seek advice regarding age management; therefore, those responsible for age management awareness raising activities may need to approach businesses directly.
Showing posts with label small_and_medium-sized_businesses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small_and_medium-sized_businesses. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Monday, 27 February 2012
Do SMEs create more and better jobs?
European Commission Directorate General Enterprise and Industry via BizResearch by Tracey Ellis
The European Commission (has) published a study analysing the important role small- and medium-sized enterprises play in creating more and better jobs. According to the analysis, 85% of net new jobs in the EU between 2002 and 2010 were created by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This figure is considerably higher than the 67%-share of SMEs in total employment. During this period, net employment in the EU’s business economy rose substantially, by an average of 1.1 million new jobs each year.
With 1% annually, the employment growth for SMEs was higher than for large enterprises with 0.5%. A clear exception is the trade sector, in which employment in SMEs increased by 0.7% annually, compared to 2.2% in large enterprises. This is due to the strong increase of large trade enterprises, in particular in sales, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
Within the SME size-class, micro firms (less than 10 employees) are responsible with 58% for the highest proportion of total net employment growth in the business economy.
Secondly, the study has shown that new firms (younger than five years) are responsible for an overwhelming majority of the new jobs. New enterprises operating in business services create more than a quarter (27%) of the new jobs, while the new firms in transport and communication contribute least (6%).
Click here to read the full report (PDF 163pp)
The European Commission (has) published a study analysing the important role small- and medium-sized enterprises play in creating more and better jobs. According to the analysis, 85% of net new jobs in the EU between 2002 and 2010 were created by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This figure is considerably higher than the 67%-share of SMEs in total employment. During this period, net employment in the EU’s business economy rose substantially, by an average of 1.1 million new jobs each year.
With 1% annually, the employment growth for SMEs was higher than for large enterprises with 0.5%. A clear exception is the trade sector, in which employment in SMEs increased by 0.7% annually, compared to 2.2% in large enterprises. This is due to the strong increase of large trade enterprises, in particular in sales, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
Within the SME size-class, micro firms (less than 10 employees) are responsible with 58% for the highest proportion of total net employment growth in the business economy.
Secondly, the study has shown that new firms (younger than five years) are responsible for an overwhelming majority of the new jobs. New enterprises operating in business services create more than a quarter (27%) of the new jobs, while the new firms in transport and communication contribute least (6%).
Click here to read the full report (PDF 163pp)
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
SMEs in the crisis: …
Employment, industrial relations and local partnership
This report (written and published by EIRO, European Industrial Relations Observatory On-line) examines the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the actions of governments and the social partners, the extent of social dialogue in SMEs, including any trends and new initiatives, and the role of local partnership as a means of maintaining employment levels during the recent economic crisis. More specifically, it examines the impact of the crisis on SMEs. It looks at a range of government initiatives aimed at helping SMEs to survive the crisis, in addition to the main social partner actions to help SMEs.
The study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by the EIRO correspondents. The text of each of these national reports is available below. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.
Comparative study (PDF 50pp) see also the Executive Summary (PDF 2pp – dark blue text on pale blue background!)
This report (written and published by EIRO, European Industrial Relations Observatory On-line) examines the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the actions of governments and the social partners, the extent of social dialogue in SMEs, including any trends and new initiatives, and the role of local partnership as a means of maintaining employment levels during the recent economic crisis. More specifically, it examines the impact of the crisis on SMEs. It looks at a range of government initiatives aimed at helping SMEs to survive the crisis, in addition to the main social partner actions to help SMEs.
The study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by the EIRO correspondents. The text of each of these national reports is available below. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.
Comparative study (PDF 50pp) see also the Executive Summary (PDF 2pp – dark blue text on pale blue background!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
