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Will you miss me when I'm gone? A study of the potential loss of company knowledge and expertise as employees retire

Eamonn McQuade (University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland)
Ellen Sjoer (Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands)
Peter Fabian (University of Zilina, Zilnia, Slovakia)
José Carlos Nascimento (University of Minho, Bargo, Portugal)
Sanaz Schroeder (RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany)

Journal of European Industrial Training

ISSN: 0309-0590

Article publication date: 6 November 2007

2675

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a research project, the aim of which was to identify the potential loss of company knowledge and expertise as experienced and expert employees retire.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this research was based on interviewing experienced and expert people who had retired or were approaching retirement: An application of expert interviewing. The interviews were conducted in five countries, across a number of sectors and involving a range of company sizes. The work of the research team was guided by an advisory panel of people with significant, senior level industrial experience.

Findings

In addition to the potential loss of technical product and process knowledge and expertise, there is a loss of expertise in interpersonal communication skill both in the company and in communication with companies and people who are suppliers and customers, in knowing the company culture and the way things are done and in the loss of maturity and stabilising influence.

Research limitations/implications

The number of people interviewed was relatively small. However, the research pointed out the need for companies, both large and small, to put in place succession planning, talent management and knowledge management processes as well as training in transferable skills or soft skills.

Practical implications

Management training programmes and courses need to include aspects of succession planning, talent management and knowledge management processes as well as training in transferable skills or soft skills.

Originality/value

The research team and the advisory panel involved participants from five EU countries large and small, east and west, north and south, developed and developing, EU founder members and newer accession states. It involved working in five languages and cultures. Despite this diversity there was great agreement on the findings and implications.

Keywords

Citation

McQuade, E., Sjoer, E., Fabian, P., Carlos Nascimento, J. and Schroeder, S. (2007), "Will you miss me when I'm gone? A study of the potential loss of company knowledge and expertise as employees retire", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 31 No. 9, pp. 758-768. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590710846701

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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