Antecedents and consequences of digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers

Abstract: While digital transformation brings new opportunities for enterprise operations management, it also introduces a novel managerial challenge - the digital divide among older workers. Confronted with rapidly evolving and highly complex digital technologies, older workers commonly experience adaptation difficulties. They may even fear being replaced by these technologies, which can lead to digital technology-driven job insecurity. Therefore, this study focuses on the issue of “digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers,” systematically exploring its triggering mechanisms and subsequent effects. Specifically, the study aims to: First, it clarifies the conceptualization and dimensional structure of digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers at the theoretical level and develops measurement tools; Second, drawing on the theory of person-context interaction, it delves into the impacts of aging digital technology stereotypes, positive attitudes towards digital technologies, and intrinsic motivation in digital technology learning on digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers, and to analyze the moderating role of developmental human resource management practices; Third, based on motivational theory of life-span development, explore the effects of digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers on their behavior, as well as the moderating effects of growth mindset and organizational digital support. By exploring the concept and influencing factors of digital technology-driven job insecurity among older workers in the context of digital transformation, this study provides theoretical insights and practical guidance for addressing the challenges of workplace aging in the digital transformation.