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The Business Work and Ageing (BWA) Centre for Research


What does the centre do?

The Business Work and Ageing (BWA) Centre for Research is a national Centre with global reach which conducts national and international research informing leading edge policy and practice in the field of older workers. As the name suggests, BWA Centre research is positioned cross-sectorally across business, work and ageing linked with Australian Research Council (ARC), philanthropic and consultancy funding sources. The capabilities of the Centre include the development of workforce retention instruments, Industry-based workforce ageing studies, retirement research, health and wellbeing, economic modelling, age discrimination research and organisational case studies.

 

 

Message from the Director

The BWA Centre for Research, founded in 2002, has taken the national lead in researching sustainable employment which prolong the working lives of older workers. The Centre's core purpose is to develop innovative research agendas responsive to ageing workforce policy issues. It conducts policy-relevant, innovative and interdisciplinary research. Research projects have included international research collaborations on workforce aging and information technology employment, the positioning of older workers in global labour supply, retirement and the application of an innovative framework for sustaining workforces based on the Finnish 'workability' framework. The Centre undertakes macro-level statistical analyses and micro-level organisational case studies in the public and private sectors. Its ambit includes gerontological issues including the quality of aged care services.

For industry & government

The cross-sectoral nature of the BWA Centre applies research based on innovative approaches to the retention of ageing workforces. Collaborations have been undertaken in Australian Research Council grants and consultancies. Collaborations are ongoing with the federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Australian Human Rights Commission involved in the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation. Further associations are underway with professional groups such as Aged & Community Care Australia and Health Workforce Australia.

Ongoing collaborative relationships have been maintained with Policy Directors in WorkSafe Victoria, WorkCover South Australia and Safe Work Australia,WorkSafe Victoria and WorkCover South Australia. The BWA Centre is interested in involving private and public sector organisations in health and social assistance sectors and other industry sectors in workforce development projects.

Research

  • International comparative research into ageing workforces, global labour supply and recruitment, retention and forms of 'retirement' and post 'retirement' work.
  • Applying innovative workforce development frameworks and rigorous research to enable the retention of older workers.
  • Large scale quantitative surveys into ageing workforces and qualitative organisational case studies based on occupational groups and industry sectors.
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Current projects

The Business, Work and Ageing Centre for Research is a leading national and international centre of excellence concerned with the implications of population ageing for economies and workplaces. Our research aims to put the issue of workforce ageing in context, considering the range of economic and social forces that affect individuals and organisations.

Our research also extends beyond narrow disciplinary boundaries, drawing upon expertise in the fields of management, applied psychology, sociology, social policy, medicine and occupational health and safety.

Some of our current projects include:

a) METEOR for older workers With funding from the VicHealth Public Health Research Fellowship and the Wicking Trust, the METEOR project applies the Finnish model of workability to create and sustain employment pathways for older workers. Particular focus on the aged care industry.
b) Retiring Women project This ARC Linkages Project aims to understand the factors that contribute to women's choices about when and how to retire
c) Working Late The ARC-funded "Working Late" project is concerned with the management of Australian labour supply against the backdrop of demographic change and the restructuring of industry.
d) Workforce Ageing in the New Economy (WANE) Funded by the social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSRHC) from 2002-2006, this international project is a cross-national study of the IT workforce in new economy small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Canada, the US, European Union and Australia. WANE examines how IT workers can maintain productive employment in IT across their working lives in the 'new economy'.
e) Redesigning Work for an Ageing Society This ARC Linkages Project involves interdisciplinary research, including health and social sciences, occupational health and safety, business and research into healthy and productive ageing. The project will adapt the Finish "Work Ability" model for the Australian context.


Publications

1. Brooke, E. (2011). Productivity and the ageing body: Occupational processes and age stereotypes. Older Workers in a sustainable society. In Richard Ennals and Robert Salomon (Eds.). Centre for Senior Policy, Oslo, Norway. pp. 43-32.
2. Brooke, E., Taylor, P., McLoughlin, C. & diBiase, T. (Submitted). Managing the working body: Active ageing and limits to the 'flexible' Firm (ERA A).Taylor, P.,
3. Brooke, L. & Jorgensen (Submitted). Integrating forms of capital with the employability of older jobseekers: Implications for the labour force participation agenda. (ERA A)
4. Taylor, P., Brooke, E., McLoughlin,C. (Forthcoming). 'Employing older workers in a period of tightening labour supply: The case of Australia'. Ageing and Society (ERA A)
5. Taylor, P., McLoughlin, C., Meyer, D., & Brooke, E. (Forthcoming). Workplace discrimination and harassment, job satisfaction and psychological well-being: Age differences and moderating variables. Ageing and Society. (ERA A)
6. Brooke, L., McLoughlin, C. & Di Biase, T (2010) Older workers and organizational change: corporate memory versus potentiality', International Journal of Manpower, 31, 3. 374-386. (ERA B)
7. Brooke, L. (2010). 'Employment Relations and the Wage: How Gender and Age influence the bargaining power of IT workers'. Aging and Working in Small and Mid-sized Information Technology Firms: Making Careers in Changing Structures. In Julie McMullin & Victor Marshall (Eds.) Edward Elgar Publishing. MA, USA
8. Taylor, P., Brooke, L., McLoughlin, C. & Di Biase, T (2010). 'Older workers and organizational change: corporate memory versus potentiality', International Journal of Manpower, 31, 3. 374-386. (ERA B)
9. Brooke, E., Goodall, J., Mawren, D. (2010). 'Retaining older workforces in aged care work'. (In-press) 4th Symposium on Work Ability Age Management during the Life Course. 6.-9.6. 2010, In Clas-Håkan Nygård (Ed.). University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. Tampere University Press.
10. Brooke, L. (2010) (Accepted). Restyling human resources management of older information technology workers in an environment of daunting risk. Older workers under new management. P. Taylor (ed). Edward Elgar Publishing. MA, USA.
11. Brooke, L. (2009). Prolonging the careers of information technology workers: Continuity, exit, or retirement transitions? Ageing and Society, 29, 237-256. (ERA A)
12. Brooke, L., Healy, P., Jiang, J., & Taylor, P. The Place of Age in Organisational Policymaking: Evidence from a Qualitative Study. In Masaharu Kumashiro (Ed.). Promotion of Work Ability Towards Productive Aging. Selected papers of the 3rd International Symposium on Work Ability, Hanoi, Vietnam, 22-24 October 2007. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. A Balkema Book Boca Raton, London, New York, Leiden. pp.27-32.
13. Millward, C. & Brooke, L. (2007). 'Should we work longer? Public expectations about older workers and retirement'. Australian Academy of Social Sciences, 'Australian Social Attitudes Survey: The Second Report 2006'. In David Denemark, Gabrielle Meagher, Shaun Wilson, Mark Western & Timothy Phillips (Eds.). UNSW Press. pp. 147-174.
14. Brooke, L. Ageing in employment: challenges to workplace design. In Lyndon Anderson and Simon Jackson (Eds.). (2006). The New Design Nexus: ICT, changing demographics and sustainability. lab.3000, Melbourne. pp 87-108.
15. Brooke, L. & Taylor, P. (2005). Older workers and employment: Managing age relations. Ageing and Society, 25, pp. 415-429. (ERA A)
16. Brooke, L., & Kendig, H. (2004). 'Understanding community nursing for older individuals and carers'. In Nursing Older People'. Issues and Innovations, In R. Nay and S. Garrett (Eds.). (2nd Ed). Elsevier: Sydney. pp 103-119. (First Prize awarded by the Australian Association of Gerontology for a book on ageing).
17. Brooke, L. (2003). Human resource costs and benefits of maintaining a mature-age workforce. International Journal of Manpower, 24, 3, pp 260-283. (ERA B).

Earlier gerontology contributions (1997-2001)

18. Davidson S., Brooke E., Kendig H. (2001). 'Age-segregated housing and friendship interaction for older people'. In L.A. Pastalan and B. Schwarz (Eds.), Housing choices and well-being of older adults: Proper fit. New York:Haworth Press.
19. Davidson, S., Brooke, E., & Kendig, H. (2001)'Age-segregated housing and friendship interaction for older people, Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 14, 1, 2. pp. 123-135
20. Brooke, E. & Kendig, H. (1999). 'The social context/experience of ageing: Issues for geriatric nursing'. In R. Nay and S. Garrett (Eds.). Nursing older people: Issues and innovations.
21. Kendig, H. & Brooke, L. (1997).Australian research on ageing and social support. Australian Journal on Ageing, 16, 3. Reviews of current research. Special Issue sponsored by Pfizer Pty Ltd to mark the 16th Congress of the International Association of Gerontology. pp.127-131.

Academic conferences (2004-2011)

22. Brooke, E. (2010).Supporting the Retention of the Aged Care Workforce Through Workability, 43rd Australian Association of Gerontology National Conference, 17th – 19th November 2010, Hobart.
23. Brooke, L. (2010). Productivity and the ageing body: Occupational processes and age stereotypes. Older Workers in a sustainable society, Centre for Senior Policy, July 2010, Oslo, Norway. Convenor and Moderator of Session on age discrimination.
24. Brooke, L., Goodall, J., Mawren, D., O'Loughlin, C., di Biase, T. 'Retaining older workforces in aged care work'. 4th Symposium on Work Ability Age Management during the Life Course. June 2010. University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
25. Brooke, L. (2010). Innovative Approaches Towards Recruiting And Retaining A Quality Aged Care Workforce. Symposium Convenor and Moderator, International Federation on Aging 10th Global Conference, May 5th 2010 Melbourne, Australia.
26. Brooke, L., & Jorgenson, B. (2009). The wellbeing of older job seekers: Implications for the labour force participation agenda. XIXth International Association of Gerontology Congress, Paris, France, July 5-9 2009
27. 'Workability' projects. (2008). AARP. American Association of Retired Persons, Washington, October.
28. Brooke, L. (2008) The negotiation of flexibilities in new economy firms: social outcomes for older workers and women, Canadian Association on Gerontology, 37th Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting, October 2008, London Ontario.
29. Brooke, L. (2008)Managing Employment Pathways to Reintegrate Older Workers, From Margins to Mainstream: 5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, September 2008, Melbourne.
30. Brooke, L. (2008)Managing Employment Pathways to Reintegrate Older Women in Employment. First ISA Forum of SociologySociological Research and Public Debate, September 2008, Barcelona.
31. Brooke, L. (2008)Age Employment and Social Inclusion', Social Inclusion and Older People Workshop, Brotherhood of St Laurence, December 2008.
32. Brooke, L. (2008) Sustainable Human Capital. Sustainable Futures for TAFE. Victorian TAFE Association. Gordon Institute Geelong May 2008.
33. Brooke, L. (2007) Bargaining Power in New Economy IT Organisations. Third Annual Symposium of the Population, Work and Family Policy Collaboration, November 2007, Ottawa, Canada.
34. Brooke, L. (2007) The Bargaining Power of Ageing Workers in New Economy IT Organisations. Gerontology Society of America Congress November 2007, San Francisco.
35. Brooke, L., Healy, P., Jiang, J., Taylor, P. (2007). The Place of Age in Organisational Policymaking: Evidence from a Qualitative Study. 3rd International Symposium on Work Ability Promotion of Work Ability Towards a Productive Aging, October 2007, Hanoi, Vietnam.
36. Brooke, L and Topple, C. (2006) Human resources management in WANE case study firms. Banff. Canada.
37. Brooke, L. (2006) Prolonging working lives in information technology employment. International Sociological Association Conference, Workforce Ageing in the New Economy Session, Durban, July 2006.
38. Brooke, L and Topple, C. (2005) The careers of IT workers in new economy organisations: Managing risks and opportunities. International Association of Gerontology. Rio de Janeiro June 2005.
39. Brooke. L. (2005) Ageing in information technology work: Pioneering new constructions of careers at the end of working lives? Australian Association of Gerontology, Brisbane November 2005.
40. Brooke, L. (2005) The working lives of older workers: demography and drivers of workforce attachment. Transitions and Risk: New Directions in Social Policy Conference, Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, 23-25 February 2005 Refereed Paper which appeared in Conference Proceedings.
41. Brooke, L. (2004). Surfing the Australian age wave: adapting ageing demographics within 'new economy' employment. ISA Session: Globalisation, Workforce Ageing and Information Technology, International Sociological Association, Surrey. UK September 2004.
42. Brooke, L. and Topple, C. (2004).Workforce Ageing in the New Economy. WANE Australia Team Report, SSHRC Social Sciences and Health Research Council of Canada, October 2004.
43. Brooke, L. & Rolland, L. (2004)Planning and preparation for retirement: a company case study, Australian Association of Gerontology Conference, Hobart, November 2004.

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Policy and professional conferences

44. Chairperson Skilling Australia and Workforce Participation Summit 29th (June.2011). www.informa.com.skillingaustralia
45. Older Workers Policy Roundtable. (May 2011) Making the most of mature minds: Issues, trends and challenges in making active ageing a reality. Published in proceedings.
46. Older Workers Policy Roundtable. (May 2011) Taylor, P. and Brooke, E. Ageism and age discrimination in the labour market and employer responses. Published in proceedings.
47. Brooke, L. (2011) Productivity Commission presentation. March 21st
48. Brooke, L. (2011). Retention of the Aged Care Workforce Workability project. Aged and Community Care Workplace Relations Taskforce Meeting 8th February 2011
49. Brooke, L. (2011) Retention of the Aged Care Workforce Workability project. Aged and Community Care Victoria, 25th January 2011
50. Brooke, L. (2010). Ageing workforce: Prolonging Working Lives, VHIA Disability Sector Forum, November, 2010.
51. Brooke, L. (2010). Ageing and your workforce, implications for your business. WorkSafe Victoria Week, November, 2010.
52. Brooke, L. (2010). Workability application to the Nursing workforce, Victorian Department of Health, October 2010.
53. Brooke, L. (2010). Workability application, Caring for Older People program. Victorian Department of Health, August 2010.
54. Brooke, L. (2010. Prolonging working lives. Rail careers conference, Railway Institute, Brisbane, May 2010.
55. Brooke, L. (2009). Brooke, L. Combating barriers of employment flexibility in challenging economic times. Swinburne Insight Breakfast (External HR event).
56. Brooke, L. (2005). Intergenerational relations, IQPC Recruitment and Retention Conference.
57. Brooke, L. (2005). Work and Ageing in Context, Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI). Ballarat July 2005.
58. Brooke, L. (2005). Work and Ageing in Context. Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI). Bendigo July 2005.
59. Brooke, L. (2005). Drake International Seminar. The age chasm: Successfully managing age successfully in your organisation. February 2005, Brisbane.
60. Brooke, L. (2005). Managing the Age of Change Swinburne University presentation to TAFE Division. March 2005.
61. Brooke, L. (2005). February 2005. Laminex, Health and Well Being for an Ageing Workforce.
62. Brooke, L. (2004). Aligning directions in education and training to changing age demographics VET National Conference, October 2004, Melbourne.
63. Brooke, L. (2004). Health and Well Being for an Ageing Workforce. National Safety Council of Australia. November 2004, Melbourne.
64. Brooke, L. (2004). Area Consultative Committee. Bendigo Health and Wellbeing for an Australian Workforce. Occupational Health and Safety Forum. August 2004.
65. Brooke, L. (2004). Managing the Age of Change, Employment Counsellors Association September 2004.

Research reports

66. Experience Pays Awareness Strategy (2009). Department of Industrial relations (Queensland). Philip Taylor, Libby Brooke, Margaret Steinberg.
67. Workforce Ageing in the New Economy: Australian Country Report. Phase 11. (2006). (Available on the web at www.wane.ca)
68. Furthering Success: Education, training and employment transitions for disadvantaged older workers. (2004) Business Work and Ageing, Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Education, Science and Training.
69. L. Brooke, Rolland. Topple, Smith (2004). Workforce Ageing in the New Economy: Australian Country Report. Phase 1. (Available on the web at www.wane.ca)
70. Age Limits: Age-related discrimination in employment affecting workers over 45. (2001) Brooke, L. Published by the Victorian, South Australian and Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commissions and the Australian Employers Convention, Melbourne.
71. Brooke, L. (2001). The human resource costs and benefits of maintaining an age-balanced workforce. Australian Employers Convention, funded by The Positive Ageing Unit, Victorian Department of Human Services.
72. Brooke, E., Gardner, I. & Kendig, H. (1998). Improving Social Networks Report. Veterans' Stories. Department of Veterans Affairs. Published by the Australian Government Printing Service, Canberra.
73. Brooke, L. Davidson, S. & Kendig, H. (1998) Support needs of older people in high rise public housing. Department of Human Services. Aged Care Division, Victorian Department of Human Services.
74. Brooke, L. Developing a model of elder care in Australian companies. (1996) Work and Family Unit, Department of Industrial Relations, Canberra.
75. Brooke, L. (1996) Residential care manual for people of Non English speaking backgrounds. Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health. With Brous Consulting Group.
76. Review of Peninsula Linkages Project. (1996) Department of Health and Community Services, Victoria. Libby Brooke and Associates and Brous Consulting Group.
77. Brooke, L. Home and Community Care Program Cultural Planning Tool. (1995) Services Review and Planning Project under the auspices of ADEC (Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities). Department of Health and Community Services.
78. Brooke, L. (1991). A study of case management practices in the municipalities of Broadmeadows, Bulla and Gisborne. City of Broadmeadows, Shires of Bulla and Gisborne. Melbourne: With McCready Consulting.
79. Work, Family and You. (1992) Shell, Australia. Melbourne: Rickard Consulting, Libby Brooke and Associates, McCready Consulting.
80. Equal Opportunity in Employment survey Royal Automobile Club of Victoria. (1991) Melbourne: McCready Consulting, Libby Brooke and Associates, Rickard Consulting.
81. Child care survey of employees needs, Nissan Australia. (1991) McCready Rickard Consulting.
82. A review of access, assessment, case management and co-ordination processes in services for older people (1989). Cities of Kew and Hawthorn, for the Office of Local Government, Canberra. Melbourne: With Brous Consulting Group.
83. Brooke, L. Income and expenditure study of low-income people, (1985) Brotherhood of St Laurence, First Report. Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne.
84. Brooke, L. (1983) Research Report on the First Year of the Neighbourhood Employment Development Program, Brotherhood of St Laurence and Ministry of Employment and Training, Victoria.
85. Brooke, L. SPAN: 'Young is wonderful, but old is better', (1982). Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne.
86. Brooke, L. Who Gives? A study of Brotherhood Donors, (1980) Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne.
87. Brooke, L. Client and staff participation in a government welfare agency. (1979) Department of Community Welfare Services and Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne.
88. Brooke, L. (1979) Second Year of the Action and Resource Centre: Towards a power base for low-income people. Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne.

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Industry Partners

  • Current academic industry partners include ESSSuper, Westapac, UniSuper, Laminex Industries, Qantas, the Australian Catholic University and RACV, and in our consultancy activities we work with many more. We also work closely with a large number of government departments at both state and federal levels, industry groups and groups working to support older people.
  • Another distinctive feature of our research is its international flavour. We are working with leading research groups in many countries e.g. University of Western Ontario, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Dortmund, Boston College, City University Yokohama, Sweden and University of Akron. Our research aims to put the issue of workforce ageing in context, considering the range of economic and social forces that affect individuals and organisations.

Education (Research by Higher Degree)

BWA Centre currently has three PhD studenets and the Centre is expanding postgraduate supervision. The Centre is keen to attract interdisciplinary postgraduate research focused on the field of older workers and currently has enrolled PhD students from statistics, human resources management and psychology disciplines.

Staff:

(Centres staff names and contact details / hyperlinks to profiles)

Director, Associate Professor Elizabeth Brooke
Researchers within two Australain Research Council grants (TBA appintments)
Max Handrus, JO and JB Wicking Trust funded researcher
Swinburne Chief Investigators and co-researchers:

  • Professor Nita Cherry, Professor of Entrepreneurship,
  • Professor Janet Gregory, University Professor of Education Quality and Innovation,
  • Associate Professor Patricia Buckley, diversity studies,
  • Dr Denny Meyer, Group Leader Statistics, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences,
  • Cheree Hamilton , PhD student. Lecturer in human resources management.

International research collaborations have included partnering with leading international researchers in the field of older workers:

  • Emeritus Professor Juhani Ilmarinen, Former Director, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Professor Julie McMullin, Special Advisor to the Provost—Internationalization, Professor, Department of Sociology, The University of Western Ontario,
  • Professor Victor Marshall, former head Institute of Ageing, University of North Carolina,
  • Professor Kene Henkens, Director, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute,
  • Professor Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Director of the Sloan Centre on Aging and Work, Boston College, United States.

International project collaborators have included leading North American scholars including Professor Neil Charness, Professor Harvey Sterns.

Key Contact

Associate Professor Elizabeth Brooke
Director of Research
Business Work and Ageing Centre for Research
T +61 3 9214 5949
F +61 3 9819 5040
lbrooke@swin.edu.au

Swinburne University of Technology
Internal Mail No. H95
PO Box 218
Hawthorn
Victoria 3122
AUSTRALIA


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