Demographic change and disability management in Australia, Canada, China and Switzerland. A comparative study

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Project Logo
DOI of the original publication
Project type
angewandte Forschung
Project start
01.11.2013
Project end
31.03.2016
Project status
abgeschlossen
Project contact
Contributors
Buys, Nick
Dan, Tang
Harder, Henry
Randall, Christine
Scott, Liz
Wagner, Shannon
Yu Ling Lo-Hui, Karen
Yu Tak-Sun, Ignatius
Description
Abstract
In recent years, demographic change and an increasing shortage of qualified workers has presented new challenges for both developed and developing economies. Strategies to face these challenges have included increased company activity to retain internal labour forces and, specifically, the use of disability management (DM). The study was conducted in Australia, Canada, China and Switzerland. Thirty-two companies participated, 128 in-depth interviews were conducted and 1,201 employees participated in the survey. The results indicate that DM is positively related to job satisfaction, morale, physical and mental health, and sick leave. The support of employees is seen as effective in improving their health conditions and productivity in the company. DM is underpinned by relevant legislation and welfare expectations in each country, but companies face the problem of obtaining the required know-how to successfully implement DM. The study provides a baseline for improved DM practice in individual companies across countries, as well as for further international DM research.
Link
Created during FHNW affiliation
Strategic action fields FHNW
School
Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit FHNW
Institute
Institut Integration und Partizipation
Financed by
Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS)
Project partner
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Contracting authority
SAP reference
Keywords
Demographischer Wandel
Disability Management
Eingliederungsmanagement
Publications