Adapting to demographic shifts in procurement: Reviewing training practices for “silver workers” in Industry 4.0

Abstract

An aging workforce and rapid digitalization pose a dual challenge for purchasing and supply management (PSM): organizations must retain legacy supplier knowledge while building Industry 4.0 capabilities. This paper examines how “silver workers”, defined as employees typically aged 50 and above, are positioned in that transition and how their skills are developed. We conduct a systematic literature review of 86 peer-reviewed studies across PSM, supply chain management, human resource management, and adult education. Guided by three conceptual lenses (PSM and Industry 4.0 competencies, older workers’ training needs, and age-sensitive work design), we use sentence-level qualitative content analysis and a deductive–inductive coding scheme grounded in established competency frameworks and adult-learning taxonomies. The review shows that silver workers are rarely examined in PSM-specific contexts and are mostly treated as a generic “older employee” group. Training programs predominantly emphasize soft skills, leadership, and basic digital literacy, whereas advanced analytics, e-procurement, and supplier-innovation skills are seldom targeted at older staff. We identify seven main training modalities, yet few interventions are explicitly age-sensitive and access to training often declines with age. Synthesizing these insights, we propose an age-inclusive PSM training ecosystem built around three pillars: data-driven analytical proficiency, relational leadership grounded in experience, and an age-inclusive learning climate. The study positions silver workers as a strategic resource for PSM capability renewal and offers actionable guidance for CPOs designing intergenerational, Industry 4.0 ready training strategies.

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