Disrupting discourses of age? Exploring the identity work of older digital technology sector professionals

Christine Shukis-Brown & Katrina Pritchard

Management Learning2026https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076251413655article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

The digital technology sector is often subject to reports of ageism. Given this context, our study examines how age is discursively negotiated within the identity work of older digital technology knowledge workers. Our discursive analysis demonstrates how our participants resist, reposition and reimagine their ageing identities in ways that disrupt common stereotypes about technology and age. We propose this is achieved through identity work that downplays established ideas of the digitally limited ageing subject by amplifying more complex and occupationally desired identities. This research adds nuance to understandings of age categorisations and the ageing knowledge worker, explicates socio-technological insights and explains how an ageing identity can be constructed within the digital technology sector.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076251413655

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@article{christine2026,
  title        = {{Disrupting discourses of age? Exploring the identity work of older digital technology sector professionals}},
  author       = {Christine Shukis-Brown & Katrina Pritchard},
  journal      = {Management Learning},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076251413655},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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