Older Workers’ Motivation to Continue to Learn: Testing the Expectancy-Value Model of Motivation

• In Event: Training and Workplace Learning

Abstract

In an ageing society where warnings of impending labour and skill shortages have been made, older workers` learning is increasingly important. The purpose of this study is to understand motivation to learn in 877 older workers from the financial sector and to examine which person-related factors (proactive personality, past learning participation) and work-context related factors (staff policy, perceived organizational stereotypes related to older workers) help older workers to engage in learning by testing the expectancy- value model developed by Eccles & Wigfield (2002). The results show that expectancy and value predict motivation to learn. Moreover, expectancy and value are partial mediators of the relationship between staff policy, perception of organizational stereotypes, proactive personality, past learning participation and motivation to learn.

Authors

• Isabel Raemdonck, Université Catholique de Louvain

• Simon Beausaert, Maastricht University

• Caroline Meurant, Université de Louvain