Tech-based ageism in the workplace: Exploring stereotypes of mature workers in technology and AI use
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
5-2026
Abstract
As populations age and the proportion of younger workers declines, organisations increasingly depend on mature workers to sustain workforce capacity and meet labour demands. Yet, younger employees often hold technology-based stereotypes about mature workers, which may hinder intergenerational collaboration in modern workplaces, viewing them as technologically incompetent, resistant, or in need of assistance. To better understand and address these stereotypes in relation to technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the present research adopts a three-study approach. Study 1 uses focus group discussions to identify the content of technology-based age stereotypes. Study 2 quantitatively examined whether stereotype endorsement predicted willingness to work with mature workers and hiring-related decisions; contrary to expectations, no significant associations or mediation effects were found. Exploratory analyses revealed that general ageism was a more consistent predictor of workplace attitudes, and that the relationship between technology-based stereotypes and willingness to work was conditional, such that higher stereotype endorsement was associated with greater willingness to collaborate at higher levels of general ageism. Study 3 tested a counter-stereotypic intervention portraying mature workers as technologically competent and adaptable; although the manipulation increased perceived competence, it did not significantly reduce stereotype endorsement or improve willingness to collaborate. Taken together, these findings suggest that technology-based age stereotypes do not straightforwardly translate into workplace avoidance, but instead operate in more complex and context-dependent ways, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between stereotype content, general attitudes, and behavioural intentions in understanding ageism in modern workplaces.
Keywords
Age Stereotypes, Age Discrimination, Workplace Decisions, Ageism, Technology, Technology-Based Ageism, Artificial Intelligence, Older Adults
Degree Awarded
MPhil in Psychology
Discipline
Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Social Psychology
Supervisor(s)
CHENG, Chi-Ying
First Page
1
Last Page
113
Publisher
Singapore Management University
City or Country
Singapore
Citation
YAZID, Muhammad Nur Izeyar Bin.
Tech-based ageism in the workplace: Exploring stereotypes of mature workers in technology and AI use. (2026). 1-113.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/906
Copyright Owner and License
Author
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.