IS downsizing survivor's career management attitudes

Abstract

IS downsizing is a significant tool of management in the 1990's. A key element in downsizing success is how it is perceived by employees. Still, no widely published study has examined the attitudes of IS survivors to downsizing. Moreover, in the age of a new psychological contract between organizations and employees, employees have assumed responsibility for managing their careers. However, no studies of the career management strategies of IS survivors in the downsized workplace are found. In addition, studies of downsizing in the general workforce have shown that demographic differences may affect employees' responses to downsizing. Again, no study appears to have focused on Information System personnel. For all of these reasons, this study examines the attitude of IS employees toward downsizing, the career management approach of survivors, and whether demographic characteristics of IS survivors of organizational downsizing are related to their attitudes and strategies. The results of a survey indicate that IS survivors, regardless of their demographic characteristics tend to be neutral toward downsizing as a means of improving the organization. Demographic characteristics were also unrelated to internally-oriented career management strategies but were related to externally-oriented strategies.