Retirement by design: Crafting a positive life transition
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master's Programme in International Design Business Management
Language
en
Pages
85
Series
Abstract
This thesis explores the complex phenomenon or retirement, particularly within the cultural context of Thailand. The study recognizes retirement as an evolving process, impacting individuals personally and influencing societal dynamics. Despite its significance, retirement often receives inadequate attention and lacks discussion in society, accentuating the necessity for focused research and exploration. According to Prasatkul (2017), Thailand holds the second position in the ASEAN region in terms of its population aged 60 and above. With a demographic structure that encompasses over 12 million individuals in this age group, accounting for approximately one-sixth of the total Thai population, the country is on the verge of becoming the first among developing countries to embrace a fully-fledged aging society. Furthermore, projections indicate that by the year 2041, the percentage of individuals aged over 65 will reach 20%, or those aged over 60 will surpass 30%. Within this demographic landscape, retirement is an integral part of the aging problem, underscoring the urgency of understanding and designing for the retirement transition. The research aims to answer fundamental questions regarding the factors shaping retirement experiences, how retirees formulate goals, and the application of a goal-oriented view of the customer journey framework to support a positive life transition (Becker et al., 2020). The research specifically concentrates on the initial one to three years of retirement, considering it as the most recent transition period and retirees may undergo significant adjustments as they just disengage from their work life (Osborne, 2012). The theoretical foundation of the thesis is grounded in three key perspectives: the customer experience, the customer journey, and the service ecosystem. As the thesis focuses on the lived experience of individuals, these theoretical perspectives provide a holistic lens to comprehend the dynamic and multifaceted nature of retirees' experiences. The empirical investigation includes semi-structured interviews and diary studies with eight retirees in Bangkok, specifically targeting individuals who held higher positions and retired through fixed retirement, where they stopped working entirely at the compulsory age of 60. The findings indicate retirement as a multifaceted journey, influenced by diverse factors such as work backgrounds and cultural beliefs. Retirees are adapting to the flow of everyday life. The diary studies uncover the intricate processes of goal-setting among retirees, categorized into various types and influenced by both personal experiences and external circumstances. The insights suggest that the goal-oriented view of the customer journey framework along with the diary study method emerges as a nudge for behavioral change.Description
Supervisor
Solsona Caba, NúriaThesis advisor
Solsona Caba, NúriaKeywords
retirement, life transition, life event, goal-oriented approach, goal setting, diary studies