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Present By: Sulaman Sadiq Roll # AR524302 Teacher Name: Imran Ashiq
Downsizing
What is Downsizing? A downsizing strategy reduces the scale (size) and scope of a business to improve its financial performance (Robbins & Pearce, 1992). A reduction of the workforce is one of only several possible ways of improving profitability or reducing costs.
Downsizing
Why do Firms Downsize? Reduce costs Reduce layers of management to increase decision making speed and get closer to the customer Sharpen focus on core competencies of the firm, and outsource peripheral activities Generate positive reactions from shareholders in order to improve valuation of stock price Increase productivity
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Downsizing
(Gomez-Mejia, Balkin & Cardy, 2001)
Relocation Cut overtime Job Sharing pay Demotions Use vacation & leave days Pay cuts Profit sharing or variable pay
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Downsizing
(Gomez-Mejia, Balkin & Cardy, 2001)
Early Retirements
Layoffs
Outplacement
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Mixed effects on firm performance: some shortterm costs savings, but long-term profitability & valuation not strongly affected. Firms reputation as a good employer suffers. Example: Apple Computers reputation as good employer declined after several layoffs in 1990s. Downsizing forces re-thinking of Employment Strategy. Lifelong employment policies not credible after a downsizing. Example: IBM abandoned lifelong policy after several layoffs in early 1990s.
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Employee motivation disrupted: increase in political behaviors, anger, fear - which is likely to negatively impact quality of customer service Violation of psychological contract, leads to cynicism, lowered work commitment, fewer random acts of good will Survivors experience more stress due to longer work hours with re-designed jobs, and increased uncertainty regarding future downsizings
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Many senior employees leave due to application of early retirement incentives: result is loss of institutional memory. The use of voluntary workforce reductions (buyouts) results in the most marketable employees leaving (stars) -- difficult to control since all employees must be legally eligible to qualify. Early retirements & voluntary reductions often result in too many people quitting, and some are hired back as consultants at higher cost to
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Downsizing Effects
Downsizing Works Best When: Changes in Strategy, Organization structure and Culture accompany job cuts of downsizing Weak business units and plant closures are used as basis of reductions, rather than across the board cuts affecting all units (including healthy ones)
Source: Cascio et al. 1997
Training
Reputation effects on recruitment
Employee Relations
Morale of survivors
Employment
Downsizing
Performance Management
Reward Systems
Performance evaluation as layoff criteria
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Downsizing
Critical Thinking Questions 1. Which is a better criteria to use as the basis for downsizing employees: seniority or performance? State your reason. 2. Should employers give future notice to downsized employees, or tell them on the day they are expected to leave the firm? 3. Separation pay is voluntary. What benefits do firms get when they give separation pay to employees in a downsizing?
SULAMAN SADIQ, ROLL # AR524302
Downsizing
Critical Thinking Questions 4. Is there a set of best practices to let an employee know she/he has been downsized? 5. Under what circumstances might a companys managers prefer to use layoffs instead of early retirements or voluntary severance plans as a way to downsize the workforce?