Downsizing: employee threat or opportunity? An empirical study on external and internal reorientation practices in Belgian companies
Dewettinck, Koen Buyens, Dirk
Dewettinck, Koen
Buyens, Dirk
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Publication Type
Journal article
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2002
Journal
Employee Relations
Book
Publication Volume
24
Publication Issue
4
Publication Begin page
389
Publication End page
402
Publication Number of pages
14
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Abstract
This paper reports on a study of the employment implications of different downsizing approaches using 19 case studies of Belgian organizations recently confronted with downsizing. Based on the results of this empirical study, a two‐dimensional categorization model is developed. The first continuum of the model represents the timeframe (reactive to proactive) of downsizing strategies, while the second continuum represents the focus of reorientation practices towards the internal or external labour market. Based on this categorization scheme, the employment implications were explored. Further theoretical, managerial and governmental implications are also suggested.
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Keywords
Career Management