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This event is part of the Special Jour Fixe on the UBIAS' topic of the year "Ageing". 

Abstract:

The workforce is not only aging, but also becoming increasingly age diverse, with important implications for several work-related processes and outcomes. In this talk, I discuss the role of chronological age in leadership and entrepreneurship. While leadership refers to the process of influencing others by structuring tasks and relationships in a team, entrepreneurship is defined as the process of identifying and exploiting promising business opportunities. I first present a lifespan model of leadership and followership, as well as the results of a number of empirical studies designed to test the model's propositions. Findings suggest that age and age-related characteristics (e.g., motives to lead, age stereotypes) can impact on the leader-follower relationship and, subsequently, leadership success. Second, I present results from my research program on age in the entrepreneurial process. Findings suggest that several age-related characteristics (e.g., experience, time perspective) influence how entrepreneurs turn business opportunities into entrepreneurial intentions and venture success. I conclude with several ideas for future research and practical implications. 

This talk was presented by Hannes Zacher, who is a Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Leipzig.