Survivors of Downsizing: Helpful and Hindering Experiences

TLDR

The study interviewed 31 private and public sector downsizing survivors to identify incidents that helped or hindered their transition through one or more downsizings. Data were analyzed using a critical incident technique, organizing positive and negative incidents into themes grouped by transition phases. The findings confirm and extend prior research, offering implications for organizational downsizing practices and counseling recommendations to reduce negative and enhance positive transition experiences.

Abstract

Thirty‐one downsizing survivors from both the private and public sector were interviewed to determine incidents that either helped or hindered their transition through 1 or more organizational downsizings. A critical incident technique was used to analyze and organize the data around themes that emerged. Themes were represented by both positive and negative incidents and were grouped using transition phases. Results support and add new detail and insight into topics developed in previous studies. Implications are discussed for organizations' handling of downsizing or restructuring as well as reducing negative and enhancing positive influences and events. Counseling recommendations are offered for easing survivors through the transition.