Call for proposals for Journal of European Social Policy (SAGE) special issue
Edited by: Ewa Lechman (Gdansk University of Technology, Poland) & Anita Richert-Kaźmierska (Gdansk University of Technology, Poland)
Prospected publication date: 2021
Tentative title: New Technologies matter for Ageing Societies. Towards Responsible Ageing Population Policy concept.
Paper proposal deadline: 20 October 2019
Submit to: Ewa Lechman (eda@pg.edu.pl) or Anita Richert-Kaźmierska (arichert@zie.pg.gda.pl)
Rationale
Over last few decades (since 1970s onwards), the world witnesses, the process of rapid diffusion of new information and communication technologies (ICT), which enforces remarkable changes and structural shifts tackling social and economic spheres of life. ICT are the General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) (Bersnahan and Trajtenberg 1995) that generate deep structural and qualitative changes, pervasively impacting society and economy. The on-going digital revolution pervasively impacts and reshapes societies and economies (Comin and Hobijn 2011); ICT become fast available widespread, the rate of diffusion is extremely high (Comin, Hobijn and Rovito 2006). Society-wide adoption of ICT allows for fast growth of social networks (Castells et al. 2009; Shapiro and Varian 2013), generating economic advantages (Katz and Shapiro 1985; Economides 1996) and providing solid foundations for long-term socio-economic growth and development. These profound changes are facilitated by the type of technological solution offered by ICT, which are wireless networks enabling direct connections among society members, allowing for information and knowledge flows, regardless the physical location of the agents, diminishing their economic and technological marginalization Cairncross (2001). ICT are cheap, fast installable and acquirable by all society members (Quah 2001; Venables 2001). Bersnahan and Trajtenberg (1995) underline that broad adoption of General Purpose Technologies fosters radical changes of social norms and structures, which leads to transformation of social systems and ways of doing business, heavily impacting growth of productivity (Helpman 1998) and – at a time, providing solid background for long-term economic growth and development. Perez and Soete (1988), argue that ICT are the Opportunity Windows, as they facilitate elimination of multiple barriers disabling entering the pattern of stable socio-economic growth and development. ICT reduce information asymmetries, enhance access to global markets, mobilize resources – especially labour force and alia.
Since early 80s of 20th century European countries are challenged by growing usage and adoption of ICT, but on the other hand fast population changes are profoundly reshaping both societies and economies. Population ageing is one of the most important demographic trends detectable in Europe, but also in other world regions. According to World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision (2015), in Europe has been the highest in the world dynamic of population aging in last fifty years. While in other world regions the growing number and share of older people in total population has been accompanied by increasing number of young people, in Europe - the increase of older people subpopulation has been at the expense (shrinking) of the youngest subpopulation. The developing countries in next 20-30 years will still benefit from the demographic dividend, but the process of aging will run there much faster than ever before (Lee and Manson 2006) – the increase of the share of persons aged 65 and more from 7% to 14% of the total population in France required over 100 years, in Brazil it will take just 20 years (Global health and aging 2011).
Undeniably population changes is inextricably linked with various aspects of social, economic, institutional and technological development. Radical drops of crude fertility rates on one hand, increasing life expectancy on the other, enhance rapidly proceeding process of population ageing (Pressat 2008; Murphy 2017). In Central and Eastern Europe the process of population aging is deepened by young citizens’ emigration (Botev 2012).
Ageing societies are one of the most important challenges and ICT is the key for tackling it. Digital technologies may help to transform the health care systems enhancing visible benefits for people. Artificial intelligence solutions or super-fast computer bring the opportunity to transform the way we receive and provide health and care services, enabling introduction of innovative systems that ensure independent living for elder people, or integrated health and social care systems. Moreover, health and other social data storage and massive flows of them, advanced data analytics may accelerate development of more personalized medicine, early diagnosis of diseases and hence more effective treatments, just to cite few examples.
On the other hand, the newly emerging European Silver Economy, which is direct effect of population ageing, is perceived as having huge potential to reshape major drivers of market activities, “create” new sectors or even wholly new industries, new services and products (Bran et al. 2016). Changes in demographic structures enforce changes on labor market. Falling availability of ‘young labor force’ is confronted with growing ‘stocks of old labor force’. The “inclusive” methods of work organization (flexibility) and human resource management (age management, management of age-diverse teams) are gaining the importance (Egdel et al. 2018; Patrick and Kumar 2012). Such shifts require not only rethinking the entrepreneurs’ competitiveness challenges, but also constitute an important concern of socio-economic policy makers. Recently, the Silver Economy catches the attention of policy makers. There emerges a question: how ageing population can contribute to economic growth and jobs creation. Moreover, the need to develop responsible and inclusive, with macroeconomic rationale. State policies with supportive role of ICT for ageing well, that would enhance social inclusion of elderly people is becoming urgent. All changes mentioned above are happening at the intersection of demographic shifts and the Digital Revolution. Still the evidence referring to these two is scattered and fragmented; more documented and robust evidence is needed.
Aims and scopes. Suggested topics coverage.
This special issues is designed to present a comprehensive and inter-linked approach targeting capture the interdependencies between fast deployment of ICT and the process of population ageing through the example of European economies.
More specifically we intend to put the special focus on the following aspects:
We strongly enhance both theoretical and empirical (using macro-, and/or microdata) contributions, but also case studies focusing on new technologies supporting socio-economic challenges of ageing societies. Preferred geographic coverage for empirical works and case studies – European countries.
Basic info:
The paper proposal (extended abstract) should have a length of max. 2 pages and should be organized as follows: Tentative Title, Author(s) Details (including ORCID), paper content encompassing the following parts: background and purpose, methodology, preliminary results (if available) and conclusions, references.
A collection of proposed and preliminary selected paper proposals along with the full-length special issues proposal will be submitted to Editorial Board of the Journal in the due date (30th October 2019), which will make its decision by 15th December 2019.
Edited by: Ewa Lechman (Gdansk University of Technology, Poland) & Anita Richert-Kaźmierska (Gdansk University of Technology, Poland)
Prospected publication date: 2021
Tentative title: New Technologies matter for Ageing Societies. Towards Responsible Ageing Population Policy concept.
Paper proposal deadline: 20 October 2019
Submit to: Ewa Lechman (eda@pg.edu.pl) or Anita Richert-Kaźmierska (arichert@zie.pg.gda.pl)
Rationale
Over last few decades (since 1970s onwards), the world witnesses, the process of rapid diffusion of new information and communication technologies (ICT), which enforces remarkable changes and structural shifts tackling social and economic spheres of life. ICT are the General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) (Bersnahan and Trajtenberg 1995) that generate deep structural and qualitative changes, pervasively impacting society and economy. The on-going digital revolution pervasively impacts and reshapes societies and economies (Comin and Hobijn 2011); ICT become fast available widespread, the rate of diffusion is extremely high (Comin, Hobijn and Rovito 2006). Society-wide adoption of ICT allows for fast growth of social networks (Castells et al. 2009; Shapiro and Varian 2013), generating economic advantages (Katz and Shapiro 1985; Economides 1996) and providing solid foundations for long-term socio-economic growth and development. These profound changes are facilitated by the type of technological solution offered by ICT, which are wireless networks enabling direct connections among society members, allowing for information and knowledge flows, regardless the physical location of the agents, diminishing their economic and technological marginalization Cairncross (2001). ICT are cheap, fast installable and acquirable by all society members (Quah 2001; Venables 2001). Bersnahan and Trajtenberg (1995) underline that broad adoption of General Purpose Technologies fosters radical changes of social norms and structures, which leads to transformation of social systems and ways of doing business, heavily impacting growth of productivity (Helpman 1998) and – at a time, providing solid background for long-term economic growth and development. Perez and Soete (1988), argue that ICT are the Opportunity Windows, as they facilitate elimination of multiple barriers disabling entering the pattern of stable socio-economic growth and development. ICT reduce information asymmetries, enhance access to global markets, mobilize resources – especially labour force and alia.
Since early 80s of 20th century European countries are challenged by growing usage and adoption of ICT, but on the other hand fast population changes are profoundly reshaping both societies and economies. Population ageing is one of the most important demographic trends detectable in Europe, but also in other world regions. According to World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision (2015), in Europe has been the highest in the world dynamic of population aging in last fifty years. While in other world regions the growing number and share of older people in total population has been accompanied by increasing number of young people, in Europe - the increase of older people subpopulation has been at the expense (shrinking) of the youngest subpopulation. The developing countries in next 20-30 years will still benefit from the demographic dividend, but the process of aging will run there much faster than ever before (Lee and Manson 2006) – the increase of the share of persons aged 65 and more from 7% to 14% of the total population in France required over 100 years, in Brazil it will take just 20 years (Global health and aging 2011).
Undeniably population changes is inextricably linked with various aspects of social, economic, institutional and technological development. Radical drops of crude fertility rates on one hand, increasing life expectancy on the other, enhance rapidly proceeding process of population ageing (Pressat 2008; Murphy 2017). In Central and Eastern Europe the process of population aging is deepened by young citizens’ emigration (Botev 2012).
Ageing societies are one of the most important challenges and ICT is the key for tackling it. Digital technologies may help to transform the health care systems enhancing visible benefits for people. Artificial intelligence solutions or super-fast computer bring the opportunity to transform the way we receive and provide health and care services, enabling introduction of innovative systems that ensure independent living for elder people, or integrated health and social care systems. Moreover, health and other social data storage and massive flows of them, advanced data analytics may accelerate development of more personalized medicine, early diagnosis of diseases and hence more effective treatments, just to cite few examples.
On the other hand, the newly emerging European Silver Economy, which is direct effect of population ageing, is perceived as having huge potential to reshape major drivers of market activities, “create” new sectors or even wholly new industries, new services and products (Bran et al. 2016). Changes in demographic structures enforce changes on labor market. Falling availability of ‘young labor force’ is confronted with growing ‘stocks of old labor force’. The “inclusive” methods of work organization (flexibility) and human resource management (age management, management of age-diverse teams) are gaining the importance (Egdel et al. 2018; Patrick and Kumar 2012). Such shifts require not only rethinking the entrepreneurs’ competitiveness challenges, but also constitute an important concern of socio-economic policy makers. Recently, the Silver Economy catches the attention of policy makers. There emerges a question: how ageing population can contribute to economic growth and jobs creation. Moreover, the need to develop responsible and inclusive, with macroeconomic rationale. State policies with supportive role of ICT for ageing well, that would enhance social inclusion of elderly people is becoming urgent. All changes mentioned above are happening at the intersection of demographic shifts and the Digital Revolution. Still the evidence referring to these two is scattered and fragmented; more documented and robust evidence is needed.
Aims and scopes. Suggested topics coverage.
This special issues is designed to present a comprehensive and inter-linked approach targeting capture the interdependencies between fast deployment of ICT and the process of population ageing through the example of European economies.
More specifically we intend to put the special focus on the following aspects:
- Responsible ageing population – conceptual developments;
- ICT development – opportunities and challenges for ageing society;
- Economic opportunities for growth and development combining digital policy, wellbeing and demographic change;
- Labor market growth enhancing policies – meeting the demographic change reality;
- Quality of life and work with specific attention for ageing;
- Supportive and inclusive innovative digitally-enabled policies for ageing societies;
- Cross-policy action and policy designs on new standards facilitating growth and realization of benefits for older people, health improvement and well-being
- Institutions and public sector orientation to deliver high-quality and efficient health care services for general well-being, with the support of ICT-led solutions.
We strongly enhance both theoretical and empirical (using macro-, and/or microdata) contributions, but also case studies focusing on new technologies supporting socio-economic challenges of ageing societies. Preferred geographic coverage for empirical works and case studies – European countries.
Basic info:
The paper proposal (extended abstract) should have a length of max. 2 pages and should be organized as follows: Tentative Title, Author(s) Details (including ORCID), paper content encompassing the following parts: background and purpose, methodology, preliminary results (if available) and conclusions, references.
A collection of proposed and preliminary selected paper proposals along with the full-length special issues proposal will be submitted to Editorial Board of the Journal in the due date (30th October 2019), which will make its decision by 15th December 2019.
