Age diversity and firm performance in an emerging economy: Implications for cross-cultural human resource management

Ji Li, Chris Wai Lung Chu, Kevin C.K. Lam, Stacy Liao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study tests the effect of age diversity on firm performance among international firms. Based on the resource-based view of the firm, it argues that age diversity among employees will influence firm performance. Moreover, it argues that two contextual variables—a firm's level of market diversification and its country of origin—influence the relationship between age diversity and firm performance. By testing relevant hypotheses in a major emerging economy, that is, the People's Republic of China, this study finds a significant and positive effect of age diversity and a significant interactive effect between age diversity and firm strategy on profitability. We also find a significant relationship between age diversity and firm profitability for firms from Western societies, but not for firms from East Asian societies. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this study's findings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)247-270
Number of pages33
JournalHuman Resource Management
Volume50
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2011

Keywords

  • age diversity
  • firm performance
  • emerging economy
  • human resource management
  • China

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