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Presentations

WANE has produced the following presentations for conferences, symposia, and research meetings.  Some of these are downloadable for viewing as PDFs (requires Adobe’s Acrobat Reader) or PowerPoint presentations.

Academic Conferences

Brooke, L. (2008). “Negotiation Of Flexibilities In New Economy Firms: Social Outcomes For Older Workers And Women.” Paper presented at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meetings, London, Canada, Oct. 23-26.

Jovic, E. (2008). “Timing Is Everything? 'On Time' And 'Off Time' Entry To Information Technology Work.” Paper presented at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meetings, London, Canada, Oct. 23-26.

Comeau, T. D., C. Gordon, & J. A. McMullin (2008). “Risky Employment: The Case of IT Workers.” Paper presented at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meetings, London, Canada, Oct. 23-26.

Charness, N. (2008). "Life long learning: Do IT firms support older workers?" Paper presented in response to a keynote by Harvey Sterns at the 4th World Ageing & Generations Congress, St. Gallen, Switzerland, Aug. 28.

Adams, T. and E. I. Demaiter (2008). “'I really didn't have any problem with the male-female thing until…': Women in information technology (IT) organizations.” Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Boston, USA, August 1-4.

Cooke, M. and K. Platman (2008). “Labour market transitions of IT workers in Canada and the UK (Symposium on 'Lifecourse as a policy lens: labour, flexicurity and aging').” Paper presented at the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) Economic Flexibility and Social Stability in the Age of Globalization, San Jose, Costa Rica, July 21-23.

Brooke, L. (2007). “The bargaining power of ageing workers in new economy IT organisations.” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meetings, San Francisco, USA, November.

Kemp, C. L. and I. A. Connidis (2007). “The negotiation of work and family life among older information technology workers in Canada and the United States.” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meetings, San Francisco CA, USA, November.

Platman, K. and P. Taylor (2007). “Later worklife and retirement transitions in the knowledge society: Evidence from Europe (Symposium, 'Maintaining a New Economy Career: Age and Work in Information Technology').” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meetings, San Francisco CA, USA, November.

Platman, K. (2007). “The spectre of uselessness: a case study (State-of-the-Art Presidential Symposium: 'Older Workers and the Spectre of Uselessness: Working Later in a Changing Labor Market').” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meetings, San Francisco CA, USA, November.

Charness, N. (2007). “Preparing for a diverse older workforce: Changing environments and changing workers.” Paper presented at the Rocky Mountain Conference on Aging in the Workforce, Loveland CO, USA, October 24.

Haviland, S. B. and V. W. Marshall (2007). “Societal allocation of risk and individual feelings of stability: An analysis of US and Canadian information technology workers.” Paper presented at the Work, Employment and Society 2007 Conference, Aberdeen, Scotland, September 14.

Platman, K. (2007). “The spectre of uselessness: flexible working and retirement transitions in a globalised new economy.” Paper presented at the Work, Employment & Society conference, Aberdeen, Scotland, September 14.

Marshall, V. W., S. B. Haviland, and J. C. Morgan. (2007). “Making a life in IT: Jobs and careers in small and medium-sized information technology companies in North Carolina and Florida.” Paper presented at the North Carolina Conference on Aging, Winston-Salem NC, USA, September 12.

Adams, T. and E. I. Demaiter (2007). “Knowledge workers in the new economy: Skill, flexibility and credentials.” Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, New York, USA, August 11-14.

McMullin, J. A., T. D. Comeau, and E. Jovic. (2007). “Generational discourse and information technology careers: An international comparison.” Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, New York, USA, August 11-14.

Topple, C. (2007). “Work intensity and the blurred boundaries between work and life.” Paper presented at the Fifth Critical Management Studies Conference, Manchester Business School, UK, July.

Jovic, E., T. D. Comeau, and J. A. McMullin. (2006). “Career trajectories in information technology employment.” Paper presented at the Population, Work and Family Policy Research Collaboration symposium, Ottawa, Canada, December.

Charness, N. (2006). Technology as multiplier effect for an aging workforce. In K. W. Schaie and R. Abeles (organizers) “Social Structures and Aging Individuals: Continuing Challenges.” Penn State University, State College PA, USA, October 9-10.

Comeau, T. D., C. L. Kemp, et al. (2006). “Intersections of age and masculinities in Canadian and American information technology firms (Rountable: Revisiting the Digital Divide).” Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Montréal, Canada, August 11-14.

Charness, N. (2006). "Intelligent design for older adults?" Presidential Address, Division 20. American Psychological Association Meetings, New Orleans LA, USA, August 12.

Colavecchia, S. (2006). “Linking issues of workplace diversity and work-family balance in the new economy: A study of the information technology sector.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association meetings, Toronto, Canada, June.

Colavecchia, S. (2006). “Work and learning in the new economy: National survey and case study findings.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association meetings, Toronto, Canada, June.

Comeau, T. D., E. Jovic, and J. A. McMullin. (2006). “Generational affinities and intersectional inequality in information technology employment.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, June.

Demaiter, E. I. and T. Adams (2006). “Credentialing knowledge workers: A study of education, professionalism, and employment in IT.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, June.

Haviland, S. B., J. C. Morgan, and V. W. Marshall. (2006). “Corporate preparedness for an older workforce: Planning for aging workers in the information technology industry.” Paper presented at the Southern Gerontological Society Annual Meeting, Lexington KY, USA, April.

Platman, K. and P. Taylor (2006). “Labouring over a lifetime? Managing extensions to working lives in the information technology sector.” Paper presented at the 24th Annual International Labour Process Conference, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK, April 10-12.

Demaiter, E. I. (2006). “The occupational masculinity of information technology (IT) occupations: Women's perceptions of IT occupations.” Paper presented at the WINIT International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Gender, Technology and the ICT Workplace, Manchester, England, March 21.

Comeau, T. D. and C. L. Kemp (2005). “Intersections of age and masculinities in the information technology industry.” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, Orlando FL, USA, November.

Marshall, V. W., J. C. Morgan, et al. (2005). “'Old' and 'young' workers in IT: Age designations in a 'young' industry.” Paper presented at the Australian Association of Gerontology 38th National Conference, Surfers Paradise, Australia, November.

Connidis, I. A. and C. L. Kemp (2005). “Care expectations: Multiple voices in three-generation families.” Paper presented at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meetings, Halifax, Canada, October.

Marshall, V. W. (2005). “Maximizing the involvement of older persons in the North American workforce: Programs and problems.” Paper presented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Seminar on Maximizing the Potential of the Older Workforce, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September.

McMullin, J. A. and K. Shuey (2005). “Workplace disability accommodations and structures of inequality.” Paper presented at the American Sociological Association meetings, Philadelphia, USA, August 13-16.

Platman, K. (2005). (Chair/organizer) Extensions to Working Lives: Past mistakes, future challenges. 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society of Gerontology, Keele University, UK, July 14-16.

Platman, K. (2005). “Extensions to working lives: the case of information technology professionals.” Paper presented at the 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society of Gerontology, Keele University, UK, July 14-16.

Demaiter, E. I. (2005). “The occupational masculinity of information technology (IT) organizations.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Meetings, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Downie, R. (2005). ”Barriers to training: Comparing highly-skilled occupations in Canada.” Paper presented at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Morgan, J. C. and V. W. Marshall (2005). “Work allocation in small information technology (IT) firms: Executive perspectives on age, education, experience and outsourcing.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Meetings, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Shuey, K. and J. A. McMullin (2005). “Age perceptions of disability and barriers to paid employment.” Paper presented at the Canadian Association for Foundations in Education, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Cooke, M. (2005). “Population ageing and retirement policies in six countries.” Paper presented at the Canadian Population Society Conference, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Dryburgh, H. (2005). “The occupational composition of skilled workers to Canada from 1980 to 2000.” Paper presented at the Canadian Population Society Conference, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Dryburgh, H. and G. Ranson (2005). “Tales from the (IT) field: A preliminary study of gender-based occupational clustering in small IT firms.” Paper presented at the Canadian Population Society Conference, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, London, Canada, June.

Moloney, M., J. C. Morgan, et al. (2005). “'It's a young person's game': Sustaining the work/family balance in the information technology sector.” Paper presented at the Southern Sociological Society Meetings, Charlotte NC, USA, April.

Brooke, L. (2005). “The working lives of older workers: demography and drivers of workforce attachment.” Paper presented at the Transitions and Risk: New Directions in Social Policy Conference, Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, Australia, February 23-25.

McMullin, J. A. and T. D. Comeau (2004). “High-skill information technology work, offshoring, and older workers.” Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meetings, Washington DC, USA, November.

Platman, K. and C. Barkholdt (2004). “Flexible working, late life careers and the information technology sector ('Globalization, Workforce Ageing and Information Technology Employment' symposium).” Paper presented at the International Sociological Association, Sociology of Ageing Inter-Congress Conference on 'Ageing Societies and Ageing Sociology', Roehampton University, UK, September 7-9.

Taylor, P. (2004). "Aging and Information Technology Employment: Policy Issues." Paper presented at the International Sociological Association, Sociology of Ageing Inter-Congress Conference on 'Ageing Societies and Ageing Sociology', Roehampton University, UK, September 7-9.

Brooke, L. (2004). “Surfing the Australian age wave: adapting ageing demographics within 'new economy' employment.” Paper presented at the International Sociological Association, Surrey, UK, September.

Marshall, V. W. (2004). “Life course issues and transitions among information technology workers.” Paper presented at the International Sociological Association Symposium - "Globalization, Workforce Ageing and Information Technology Employment", Surrey, UK, September.

McMullin, J. A. (2004). “Globalization, information technology employment and older workers.” Paper presented at the International Sociological Association meetings, RC 11 group, London, UK, September.

Demaiter, E. I. (2004). "Women's Experiences in the Information Technology Sector: Opportunities and Barriers.” Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, Winnipeg, Canada, June 3-6.

Downie, R. (2004). “Accessing Workplace Training in the IT Sector." Paper presented at the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, Winnipeg, Canada, June 3-6.

Moloney, M., K. Pepin, J. C. Morgan, and V. W. Marshall. (2004). “The Culture of Information Technology: Consequences for Older Worker” Paper presented at the Southern Gerontological Society Annual Conference, Atlanta GA, USA, April.

Pepin, K., M. Moloney, and J. C. Morgan. (2004). "Workforce Aging in the New Economy (WANE): The underrepresentation of older workers in the information technology workforce." Poster presented at the 1st Annual Aging Exchange, Chapel Hill NC, USA, January.

Moloney, M., K. Pepin, J. C. Morgan, and V. W. Marshall.  "Workforce Aging in the New Economy: A Workshop." Paper presented at the North Carolina Conference on Aging, October 2004, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Marshall, V. W., J. C. Morgan, M. Moloney, and J. G. Marshall. (2003). “Older Workers and Information Technology.” Paper presented at the North Carolina Conference on Aging, Charlotte NC, USA, September.

McMullin, J. A. (2003).  "The Social Construction of Age and Disability in Paid Work." Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Gerontology Meetings, Toronto, Ontario, October.

McMullin, J. A. and M. Cooke (2003). “Workforce aging: An examination of the age composition of occupations and industries in Canada.” Paper presented at the European Sociological Association meetings, Murcia, Spain, September 23-26.

Platman, K.  "Workforce Aging in the New Economy: European Project Overview."

McMullin, J. A. and T. Duerden Comeau. "Ageism in Information Technology Employment."

Symposia

Third Annual Symposium of the Population, Work and Family Policy Research Collaboration (PWFC), December 12-14, 2007 in Ottawa, Canada:

Papers:

Brooke, L. "Bargaining power in new economy IT organizations."

Cooke, M. and K. Platman. "Labour market transitions of information technology workers in Canada and the United Kingdom."

Marshall, V. W., S. B. Haviland, and J. C. Morgan. "Making a life in IT: Jobs and careers in small and medium-sized information technology companies."

McMullin, J. A. and T. D. Comeau . "Ageism in information technology employment."

Posters:

Adams, T. and E. I. Demaiter. "Knowledge workers in the new economy: An international look at skill, flexibility and credentials."

Charness, N. and M. Fox. "Training and the IT industry: Workforce aging in the new economy."

Connidis, I. A. and C. L. Kemp. "Negotiating work and family life in the information technology (IT) industry: Exploring workers' experiences in Canada and the United States."

Dryburgh, H. and G. Ranson. "Women, workplaces and IT employment."
McMullin, J. A., T. D. Comeau, and E. Jovic. "Generational discourse and information technology careers: An international comparison."

Shuey, K. and H. Spiegel. "The structure of work and its effects on worker health: Job stress and burnout in the IT industry."  

Workforce Ageing in the New Economy symposium organized by J. A. McMullin (chair). International Sociology Association meetings, Durban, South Africa, July 23-29, 2006.

Brooke, L. “Prolonging working lives in information technology employment.”

Platman, K., P. Taylor, K. Henkens, and Velladics, K. “A smooth transition into retirement? The prospects and paradoxes of 'flexibility' for an ageing workforce in the new economy.”

Ranson, G. “Shifting down or gearing up? A comparative study of life course transitions among men in information technology employment.”

Workforce Ageing and Information Technology Employment symposium organized by J. A. McMullin (chair). 18th Congress of the International Association of Gerontology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June, 2005.

Brooke, L. and C. Topple (2005). “The careers of IT workers in new economy organisations: Managing risks and opportunities.” 

Comeau, T. D. (2005). “Age and masculinities in IT discourse.” In absentia.

Marshall, V. W., J. C. Morgan, and J. D. Marshall. (2005). “'Old' and 'young' workers in IT: Age designation in a 'young industry'.”

Taylor, P. and K. Platman (2005). “New economy careers and extensions to working lives.”

Workforce Aging in the New Economy symposium organized by J. A. McMullin (Chair). Canadian Association on Gerontology meetings, Victoria, Canada, October, 2004.

Connidis, I. A. and C. L. Kemp. “The New Economy, Social Structure, and the IT Industry: Negotiating Work and Family.”

Demaiter, E. I. “The Intersection of Gender and Age in IT:  What are “older” women’s experiences?”  

Dryburgh, H. and G. Ranson. “Something old, something new? Gender at work in IT employment.”

Morgan, J. C. and V. W. Marshall. "Older Workers and Information Technology: Employer Preferences in Meeting Workforce Needs.”  (abstract)

Older Workers and Information Technology: A Global Aging Challenge.  Presidential Symposium, organized by V. W.  Marshall (Chair). Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), Richmond VA, USA, February, 2004.

Hardy, M. A. "Career contingencies and IT opportunity structures.”

Marshall, J. G. and V. W. Marshall. “Educational issues and career politics in IT.”

Marshall, V. W. and J. G. Marshall.  "US Information Technology Situation: Political/Policy Context."

McMullin, J. A. “Workforce aging in the new economy: A comparative study of information technology employment.”

Morgan, J. C., M. Moloney, and V. W. Marshall. “Age and IT in the US."

Morgan, J. C., V. W. Marshall, and M. Moloney. "Older Workers and Information Technology: A Global Challenge."

Invited Presentations

McMullin, J. A., V. W. Marshall, T. D. Comeau, and C. Gordon. (2008). "Aging and employment relations: Dilemmas of owners and workers in a risk society." Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Boston, USA, August 1-4.

"Workforce Aging in the New Economy" Phase II research update seminar. Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia, January 30, 2006.

McMullin, J. A. (2006). “Tapping the Talents of a Mature Workforce.” Paper presented at Councils for Human Resource Executives, East, West, and National through the Conference Board of Canada, June. 

McMullin, J. A. (2006). “Future of work and aging workforces: Stormy seas or smooth sailing.” Paper presented to the UWO staff association (UWOSA), June, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Shuey, K. M. and J. A. McMullin, (2005). "Age Perceptions of Disability, and Barriers to Paid Employment." Presentation at Congress, Canadian Association for Foundations in Education, June.

"Workforce Aging in the New Economy - A European Perspective." Presented at the European Team Meeting, Cambridge, UK, June 2004.

Marshall, V. W. (2004). "Work and Aging." Presentation for the Pepper Institute Lecture Series at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL., April 23.

McMullin, J. A. (2003). "Workforce Aging in the New Economy: An overview." Paper presented at UNC, Chapel Hill, Swinburne University, Australia, and to the London Professional Women's Association.

McMullin, J. A. (2003).  "Workforce Aging, Older Workers, and Ageism." Paper presented at the Symposium on New Issues in Retirement, September 5-6, Ottawa.

Other Project Presentations:

Gordon, C. and E. Jovic. (2008).  "Future Work HR toolkit for small to medium sized IT firms." Poster presented at Summit, 2008 (Training event for IM/IT professionals) Premier Learning Event, Ottawa, Canada, May 7-9, 2008.

McMullin, J. A. and T. D. Comeau. (2005). "High skill information technology employment: Offshore outsourcing and risk." Poster presented at International Comparative Workshop on Professions, Hamilton, Canada.

Platman, K. (2004). "Staying competitive as the workforce ages." Women in IT Forum, Intellect, London, UK, November 18, 2004. 

"Workforce Aging in the New Economy - A European Perspective." Presented at the European Team Meeting, Cambridge, UK, June 2004.

Demaiter, E. I. (2004). “Women's experiences in the information technology (IT) sector: Is gender relevant?” Paper presented at the Society of Graduate Students Western Research Forum at The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, March.

Demaiter, E. I. (2004). “Women's perception of opportunities and barriers in the information technology (IT) sector.” Paper presented at the UWO Aging and Health Research Meeting, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, May. 

Demaiter, E. I. (2003). “A Profile of the Information Technology Employment in Canada Occupational Profile: Gender.”  Workforce Aging in the New Economy Team Meeting: North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, December.

Morgan, J. C., V. W. Marshall, and M. Moloney. (2003). "The US Information Technology in the New Economy." Paper presented at the WANE International Team Meeting, Chapel Hill, NC, December.

McMullin, J. A. (2003). "Workforce Aging in the New Economy: An overview." Paper presented at UNC, Chapel Hill, Swinburne University, Australia, and to the London Professional Women's Association.

Prolonging working lives in information technology employment (July 2006)
Dr. Libby M. Brooke, Centre for Business, Work and Ageing
Swinburne University Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia lbrooke@groupwise.swin.edu.au

International Sociological Association Conference, July 2006
XVI World Congress of Sociology in Durban, July 23-29, 2006

The research was undertaken within the Workforce Ageing in the New Economy project funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, involving Canada, Australia, United States and three EU countries. The paper is concerned with the issue of whether working in rapidly changing IT employment is leading to de-standardization of the life course and prolonging of working lives beyond 65. The main aims of the paper were to examine whether new versions of extended careers are emerging in IT employment, how age relations between younger and older workers affect IT careers and whether and how the life course of IT workers is being refashioned through their careers in IT.

The findings are based on analyses of focused interviews with around seventy information technology workers in eight small to medium companies. The research examined whether working in IT employment is changing the expectations of standard life course of retiring at 65. Exploration of relations between the ages indicated that age relations tended to support existing retirement expectations rather than retention. Despite the potentiality for change and for reconstructing careers, perspectives of truncated careers persisted rather than of careers as lengthening. Nevertheless new sequences of careers were found which varied according to type of IT work and positions. Factors in retention included opportunities for training and some innovative human resources options. The analysis indicates that ageist expectations of working lives persist and that new human resources policies have yet to be tailored to prolonging working lives within new economy IT employment.

A smooth transition into retirement? The prospects and paradoxes of ‘flexibility’ for an ageing workforce in the new economy. (July 2006)
Kerry Platman & Philip Taylor, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Kène Henkens & Katalin Velladics, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague, Netherlands kp277@cam.ac.uk

International Sociological Association – RC11 Sociology of Ageing
XVI World Congress of Sociology in Durban, July 23-29, 2006

The growth of alternative ways of working – notably in non-standard contract types and virtual office environments – appears to hold much promise for gradual transitions into retirement. ‘Flexible’ jobs such as part-time working, and advanced communication systems such as instant online messaging, could do much to remove ‘the cliff edge’ of retirement, where people are employed full-time one day and then retired the next.

Yet we know little about the impact of such alternative working arrangements on individuals towards the end of their working lives. What are the prospects and the paradoxes of working ‘flexibly’ in the run-up to retirement, especially in knowledge-intensive professions? Such flexibility may offer a measure of autonomy over how, when and where work is performed. But it may also mean having to respond rapidly, if not instantaneously, in a global marketplace and to engage in continuous learning as products and skills needs change.

This paper draws on the findings of an international, collaborative research study of employment in the Information Technology sector. ‘Workforce Aging in the New Economy’ is a three-year project funded by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada. Here we focus on patterns, interpretations and experiences of flexible working among Information Technology professionals in two of the countries involved in the project: United Kingdom and Netherlands.

Shifting down or gearing up? A comparative study of life course transitions among men in information technology employment (July 2006)
Gillian Ranson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Sociology University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4  ranson@ucalgary.ca

International Sociological Association Conference, July 2006
XVI World Congress of Sociology in Durban, July 23-29, 2006

Information technology employment both epitomizes and underpins the labour force of the “New Economy”.  Data gathered from Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia as part of the WANE project(1) indicate that IT workers are predominantly male, and predominantly young.  In Canada, for example, Labour Force Survey data from 2001 showed that some 82 per cent of IT workers were below the age of 45.  This demographic information raises important questions about life course transitions of men working in IT.  One question concerns the nature of the work they can anticipate as their experience accumulates.  A key issue here is the relevance of past experience in IT working environments often characterized by relentless technological change. Another question concerns the transitions outside of work that men are confronting as they age.  Research on other male-dominated industries and workplaces suggests that family responsibilities which might limit work hours or job mobility may be less readily acknowledged and accommodated in IT workplaces, and that men’s responsibilities as fathers may be more likely to be framed in terms of financial provision requiring a primary commitment to work. On the other hand, space for family responsibilities may open up if career prospects appear limited or unclear. In either case, “work-family balance” for men in IT may pose unique challenges. This paper will address these questions through an analysis of interview and survey data from men aged between 30 and 40 who participated in the WANE study in Canada and Australia. This age cohort is chosen on the assumption that for most employed men in the two countries it represents a significant transition zone, both in terms of job trajectories and the establishment of intimate partnerships and parenting.

(1)“Workforce Aging in the New Economy: A Comparative Study of Information Technology Employment” is an international, multi-disciplinary study funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.  The author is a co-investigator on the project.

Credentialing Knowledge Workers: A study of education, professionalism, and employment in IT, by Erin I. Demaiter and Tracey L. Adams

"Over 25 years ago, Collins argued that we live in a “credential society.” Increasingly, credentials not only signify knowledge, but are becoming more important than knowledge itself for obtaining employment. Yet, research suggests that many IT workers – who are often viewed as the quintessential knowledge workers - do not possess certain types of credentials. How do we account for this anomaly? In this paper, we explore the significance of educational, technical, and professional credentials to IT workers, their work, and their career trajectories, using Canadian qualitative and survey data from the Workforce Aging in the New Economy study."

The Occupational Masculinity of Information Technology (IT) Occupations: Women's Perceptions of IT Occupations. (February 2006) Erin I. Demaiter.

This article explores whether there is a perceived occupational masculinity that exists in Information Technology (IT) occupations. It begins by highlighting women’s current status in IT occupations. Women are underrepresented in IT-related educational programs and IT occupations, they tend to cluster in less desirable IT occupations and their participation in the IT sector has been declining over the last 15 years. Drawing on data from qualitative, semi-structured interviews with eleven (11) female IT workers in Canada, this study aims to explore a possible reason why the above-mentioned trends are occurring. I argue that one possible explanation is that IT occupations are inherently gendered in nature perpetuating a masculine culture, which creates barriers for women entering and working in IT occupations. The findings in this article demonstrate that the women in this study do perceive a masculine workplace culture in IT.  Yet, in spite of this perceived masculine culture of IT occupations, as well as evidence, which suggest that women face barriers in IT, the women in this study, have had successful careers in IT occupations. Possible cultural, structural and individual level explanations for women’s success in IT are discussed.

THE NEW ECONOMY, SOCIAL STRUCTURE, AND THE IT INDUSTRY: NEGOTIATING WORK AND FAMILY. Ingrid Arnet Connidis, Ph.D.and Candace Kemp, Ph.D. Department of Sociology. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C2. connidis@uwo.ca, ckemp2@uwo.ca.

CAG SYMPOSIUM 2004

This paper explores the negotiation of work and family in the IT industry. We begin by considering the context set by globalization. We then discuss age and gender as significant bases of structured social relations that have general effects on labour market involvement, familial responsibility, and the relationship between the two. Having established these broader parameters, we consider unique features of IT work and their implications for negotiating family responsibilities. To what extent can observations regarding the relatively young age distribution of IT workers and male dominance in significant pockets of IT work be attributed to the clash between the social domains of family and work when work has the particular characteristics of the IT industry? Throughout, we take the view that, while individuals make decisions in order to advance their interests, they do so within a world that is socially constructed to meet capitalist and patriarchal goals. Consequently, any conflicts between work and family must be viewed as conflicts between social domains that can be altered through social policy and fundamental social change rather than as role conflicts to be resolved by individuals.

The Intersection of Gender and Age: Women’s experiences in the IT Sector
CAG Meetings: October 2004
Erin Demaiter, Graduate Student, Workforce Aging in the New Economy, UWO,
Email: eidemait@uwo.ca

Abstract:
This paper explores the intersection of gender and age across the life course for women employed in the information technology (IT) sector. Drawing on nationally representative quantitative data, as well as qualitative, in-depth semi-structured interviews with female IT professionals (n=11), I examine the experiences of women employed in the IT sector. Because the IT labour force tends to be largely young and male-dominated, “older” women’s perspectives of IT have been largely overlooked. This study aims to fill in that gap in knowledge by examining how a select group of “older” female IT professionals, perceive and account for their work-related experiences and career trajectories. Drawing on the quantitative data, I begin with a brief consideration of the gender and age composition of the IT labour force. Then, from the perspective of interview participants, I explore women’s reflections on what it is like and/or what it would be like to be an “older” and “younger” IT employee. The paper concludes with a discussion of the research’s wider implications for understanding the intersection of gender, age and issues related to the life course within the IT labour force.

Older Workers and Information Technology: Employer Preferences in Meeting Workforce Needs

Jennifer Craft Morgan and Victor W. Marshall, University of North Carolina Institute on Aging, CB# 1030, Chapel Hill NC 27599-1030; phone 919-966-0225; email craft@email.unc.edu

Older workers are underrepresented in the U.S. Information Technology (IT) workforce. Workers over the age of 45 comprise 31.8% of the overall U.S. workforce and only 25.4% of the IT workforce. Similarly, workers over 55 constitute 11.7% of the overall workforce but only 6.8% of the IT workforce. The causes of this underrepresentation are largely unknown. Employer preferences for offshoring and immigration over investing in retraining and recruitment efforts for untapped workers (e.g., older workers, race/ethnic minorities and women) may be an important component in understanding why this disparity exists. This paper identifies and relates themes in IT manager’s perceptions of current and / or impending IT worker shortage and their company’s choice of worker recruitment and retention strategies. Data for this paper were gathered using a short telephone survey of North Carolina IT professionals and several semi-structured key informant interviews. Implications for policy regarding immigration, offshoring and workforce aging in the U.S. will be discussed.

 

Ageism in Information Technology Employment

Inter-Congress Conference of the International Sociological Association—RC-11 Sociology of Aging

Julie McMullin, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Canada. N6A 5C2. t: 01 (519) 661-2111 ext. 81234.
f: 01 (519) 661-3200 e: mcmullin@uwo.ca

Despite the global down turn of the Information Technology (IT) industries in the early 2000s, the IT industry and employment in IT occupations continues to grow. At the same time, the workforce, as a whole, is aging. In isolation, both of these trends are considered to be vital to global economies. Yet, little attention has been paid to the relationship between these trends. Our data show that IT is a young, but not entirely young occupational group and contrary to what one might expect it is getting older. Furthermore, workers are often considered old and un-hireable in this industry when they are in their early 40s. This paper first compares the age structure of IT employment in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United States. Second it examines the implications of an aging IT workforce within the context of globalization.

Something old, something new? Gender at work in IT employment, G. Ranson and H. Dryburgh

Abstract

Occupational sex segregation in Canada has persisted despite women's increasingly high education levels and participation in the labour force. Now, with the rapid expansion of information technology employment, it is important to understand the extent to which old patterns may be reproduced in this newer field. In this paper we bring together current information about gender and IT work, drawn from published sources in Canada, the U.S., Australia and the European Union, all of which suggest a significant under-representation of women in most areas. We situate this information within a life course perspective, in a broader discussion of women's experiences in other male-dominated occupations, engineering in particular, and the theoretical explanations generated to account for these experiences. We use this general background to derive some expectations about women's experiences in IT, and the dimensions of IT employment that might be particularly significant in moving the field toward gender equity.

Surfing the Australian age wave: adapting ageing demographics within ‘new economy’ employment

Conference of the International Sociological Association, Surrey, UK, 2004, September

Dr Libby Brooke, Director, Research Centre for Business Work and Ageing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122 1 Alfred St Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia 3122 Fax: 61392145949; Tel: 61392145040; lbrooke@swin.edu.au

This paper discusses the interaction between information technology employment in ‘new economy’ organisations, work restructuring and workforce demographics. The central focus is on ageing, and also gender, over the life course and the way this interplays with ‘new economy’ working arrangements. Writers have asserted that the globalisation creates the conditions for employment structures marked by individualisation and the contractual nature of employment, non-standard working hours and flexibilities in working conditions. This paper asks how globalised influences affect ‘new economy’ restructuring of employment and the working arrangements of workers as they age.

The social and political environmental conditions under which new economy working arrangements arise in the Australian context are addressed. These include the policy context of information technology employment, social policy settings, and professional and government influences. National statistics data are set against the policy context and potential explanatory patterns are discussed. The discussion is cross-referenced with other research from other countries in the ‘Workforce Ageing in the New Economy’ project. The conclusion points to answered and unanswered questions with respect to characteristics of information technology employment and ageing workforce demographics.

Life course issues and transitions among information technology workers: The USA in global context

Inter-Congress Conference of the International Sociological Association—RC-11 Sociology of Aging, 2004

Victor W. Marshall, UNC Institute on Aging. CB1030, 720 Airport Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27599-1030. victor_marshall@unc.edu. Fax: 919-966-0510

The information technology sector, as a recently emerging occupational sphere, provides a rare opportunity to address issues of occupational careers and transitions over the working life course. The sector has not existed long enough to enable the development of stable occupational positions within firms, or the industry as a whole, along conventional fordist career lines. Nor will it necessarily do so. The sector grew in importance as the fordist model entered a period of decline. Moreover, the age structure of the IT workforce is young. Projections of future difficulties in meeting labor force demands, coupled with managerial lessons learned from high failure rates of startups, may lead to work career structuring so as to enhance the continuing employment of workers as they age. However, alternatives to meeting labor force demands can be found in global offshoring of work, and importation of immigrant labor. These issues are examined through background literature and focused interviews in the US IT sector.

Flexible working, late life careers and the Information Technology sector

Inter-Congress Conference of the International Sociological Association—RC-11 Sociology of Aging, Roehampton University, UK, September 7-9, 2004.

Kerry Platman, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate, Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Ageing. University of Cambridge, UK. Email: kp277@cam.ac.uk

The debate over extensions to working lives in the European Union has increasingly centred on the need for employers to provide more flexible job opportunities for older workers. Part-time employment, and other forms of ‘non-standard’ labour, is seen as offering a viable alternative to the permanent, full-time wage-based career. Jobs with unconventional or ‘non-standard’ working times appear to provide choice and flexibility to workers and their employers, whilst easing fiscal burdens on pension and welfare systems. In addition, they may deliver a measure of ‘work-life balance’ for individuals with child or elder-care responsibilities.

Aging and Information Technology Employment: Policy Issues

Inter-Congress Conference of the International Sociological Association—RC-11 Sociology of Aging, Roehampton University, UK, September 7-9, 2004.

Dr Philip Taylor, Senior Research Associate and Executive Director of Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Ageing, and Professor of Ageing and Public Policy at Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences University of Cambridge Free School Lane Cambridge CB2 3RQ United Kingdom Fax. +44 (0)1223 334550; email pt255@cam.ac.uk

Most industrialised nations are in the process of attempting to reverse the trend towards early retirement which was an important feature of labour markets in the latter part of the 20th century. Numerous policies aimed at increasing the labour force participation of older workers are emerging. This paper considers the specific case of information technology employment and apparent dissonance in terms of public and sector policies as they apply to this sector, with gender related issues seeming to be prioritised over those related to age.

“I really didn’t have any problems with the male-female thing until …”:
Women in IT Organizations.

Erin I. Demaiter*, University of Toronto (e.demaiter@utoronto.ca) and Tracey L. Adams, The University of Western Ontario

American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Boston, USA, August 1-4, 2008.

The gendered nature of organizations limits women’s opportunities for advancement. While women have made inroads into many male-dominated jobs, with and without the help of equity policies, studies suggest that they face many difficulties and can be marginalized within masculine workplace cultures. In this paper, we examine the experiences of eleven women who have had successful careers in the male-dominated information technology field, to explore their perceptions of the barriers and opportunities women face. We find that our respondents have a tendency to downplay the significance of gender, even as they provide evidence that gender has shaped their careers. We argue that their reluctance to see how gender conditions women’s careers, constrains their ability to bring about meaningful change.

Keywords: Gender; Organizations; Women; Barriers; Information Technology