An investigation into strategies for managing rightsizing

 Australian industry has undergone major structural change since the late 1980's with many public and private enterprises having shed jobs in an attempt to reduce costs and improve competitiveness. Many organisations have also reconsidered their core business activity and adjusted their staff levels accordingly. Consequently, job losses have affected all categories of employees from senior managers to unskilled labourers. This study hypothesised that it was possible for organisations to maximise the motivation (and resultant productivity) of employees, that remained in the organisation, by adopting an 'integrated management approach' to rightsizing. Employees (n=109) from four organisations in South East Queensland were interviewed and the results factor analysed to explain the major variances. Chi square and T-tests were also conducted to verify the accuracy of the results and their relationship to broader population predictions. The results provided some support for the hypothesis and suggest that organisations can better manage rightsizing using particular management behaviours to maximise the motivation of survivors.