Does Age Have an Impact on Having Ideas? An Analysis of the Quantity and Quality of Ideas Submitted to a Suggestion System

Abstract

Demographic changes in recent years indicate that the personnel structure of the workforce will change considerably, as will typical career patterns. The need to innovate in order to guarantee the effective functioning and long‐term survival of firms will remain unchanged. Suggestion systems are one means to actively solicit voluntary constructive ideas from employees. Based on the deficit model and SOC theory, this paper explores the role of age in the quantity and quality of ideas submitted through suggestion systems. Data from the suggestions systems of two German locations of a large European company were analysed. A total of 633 submitted ideas led to a monetary reward between summer 2005 and February 2007. To test the hypotheses, linear regression analysis was used. The results of the current study do not support the deficit model as all hypotheses based on the deficit model were rejected. In one location, an increase in the quality of ideas with age was observed, in contrast to the hypothesized relationship. Consequently, managers should question assumptions of declining innovativeness with age when it comes to assessing their employees.