Ungt chefskap inom kommunal äldreomsorg: en empirisk studie av hur unga chefer upplever sin yrkesroll som chef i förhållande till sin ålder

The purpose of this study was to examine how young managers (26-32 years old) in municipal old-age care organizations, in Skåne and Blekinge, experience their professional roles as managers in relation to their age. One of the questions asked in this study was whether managers experienced that their age affected their managerial position, and in that case, how? In order to investigate this, a qualitative method was used, including interviews and observations. Seven interviews with young managers were conducted. My approach in the working process was influenced by Grounded theory as defined by Glaser and Strauss (1968). This formed the basis of the theoretical approach in this study. The empirical material has been coded in accordance with Grounded theory, meaning that patterns have been identified and categorized. Results show that the young managers interviewed experience that their age affects their managerial position. For example, they are more willing to make organizational changes than older managers. Age is not in itself a problem in management, except for severe situations where older staff members can turn the managers lower age against the managers. Age can also be seen as an advantage in management, since a younger manager can find it easier to ask older staff members for advice. An important factor in this is also the personality of the manager. The interviewed managers feel that the greatest disadvantage of being a young manager is the lack of experience. Because of this, proper support is very important to them in their professional roles as managers. In conclusion, I find a need for sharing knowledge and experience among younger managers, to help them in their professional roles