Evidence on the role of age in team performance. A comparative study in Peru and Spain

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to contribute empirical data around the under-researched area of the relationship between age and team performance by comparing Latin-American and European contexts. Design/methodology/approach: The paper adopts a quantitative approach. In total 205 surveys were conducted both in Spain (118) and in Peru (87). Findings: Main results show that age does not have a predictive value on perception of performance when performance is measured with teamwork variables; and, at the same time, the perception of the diversity degree moderates the relationship between age and performance. Originality/value: An extensive bibliography already exists on age, tenure and performance, which explicitly accepts that age and tenure do and do not have an impact on team performance. At the same time, empirical evidence shows differences and similarities between people of different ages in company performance. However, there has been little research comparing Latin American and European contexts, on how age affects the perception which teams have of their own performance. This paper describes the similarities and differences in organisations from two culturally, politically and economically diverse areas, which at the same time are united by a common history. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.