Towards sustainable age-inclusive workplaces: A systematic review on how technological tools support or hinder work participation for older workers (2014-2024)
Restricted accessReview articleFirst published online 2026
Towards sustainable age-inclusive workplaces: A systematic review on how technological tools support or hinder work participation for older workers (2014-2024)
The rapid development of technological tools has significantly impacted the work participation of older workers. Technology opens new doors for older workers, though not everyone finds it easy to walk through them.
Objective
This review sought to investigate how technological tools influenced the participation of older workers in the workforce.
Methods
We searched four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) using PRISMA guidelines to identify studies from the past decade (2014–2024).
Results
Thirty-seven studies were included. Research on technology and older worker employment has grown substantially since 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic likely driving this increased interest. Technological tools advance economic engagement and social inclusion for older workers, but they also generate participation barriers across personal and institutional dimensions.
Conclusions
The impact of technology on the employment of older workers depends largely on implementation strategies. Three strategies can help older workers prosper in digital workplaces: providing comprehensive training, designing user-friendly tools with older workers involved, and creating organizational support systems.
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