The workforce has always adapted to variations in economies, longevity and birth rates, socioeconomic conditions, and other changes that have widespread impact. People adapt to survive, and OB studies the way those adaptations affect individuals’ behavior. As students of OB, we can investigate what factors lead employees to make various choices and how their experiences affect their perceptions of their workplaces. This understanding can help us predict organizational outcomes.

Longevity and birth rates have also changed the dynamics in organizations. Global longevity rates have increased, while birth rates are decreasing for many developed countries, trends that together indicate a lasting shift toward an older workforce. OB research can help explain what this means for attitudes, organizational culture, leadership, structure, and communication. Socioeconomic shifts have a profound effect on workforce demographics.