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Super-Aging in the Construction Industry: The Answer Lies in the Synergy of Communication and Knowledge Transfer

2025.07.30 Hoon-Sang Kim

Hoon-Sang Kim

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#aging population
As nations enter an era where population dynamics hinder economic growth, the declining share of the working-age population is emerging as a major obstacle—not only for countries but also for corporate development. This is particularly pressing in the construction sector, a labor-intensive industry, where proactive preparation is urgently required. By examining how leading global companies in manufacturing, biotech, and construction are addressing the challenges of super-aging, this report identifies the key strategies that domestic construction firms must adopt for sustainable growth and development.

Executive Summary

  • • Korea has entered a phase of demographic onus, where the decline in the working-age population—due to an unprecedented aging process—is beginning to impede economic growth.

  • • Unlike other industries, construction relies heavily on engineers and on-site labor, making it a human capital-intensive sector. Korean construction companies are actively exploring measures to address workforce aging, including the development of horizontal organizational cultures.

  • • Companies such as AT&T, Pfizer, and SKANSKA have implemented systems to enhance the job capabilities of senior workers or to institutionalize their expertise as part of organizational competence. These companies are also working to disseminate individual know-how through communication and collaboration.

  • • Construction firms must focus on cross-functional and task-specific knowledge sharing and undertake innovation projects to facilitate the transfer of capabilities and the know-how for managing core processes—especially in pre-construction and post-completion phases.

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