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Perceived Acceptability of Organizational Layoffs and Job Alliances During a Recession: A Mapping of Portuguese People’s Views

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Listed:
  • Joana Margarida Sequeira Neto

    (University of Oporto)

  • Etienne Mullet

    (Institute of Advanced Studies (EPHE))

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore and map the views of Portuguese laypersons regarding the acceptability of downsizing and restructuring measures during a recession. Two hundred and seven participants with various levels of training in economics were presented with a number of realistic scenarios depicting various measures, and were asked to indicate the extent to which they considered them to be acceptable. The scenarios were created by varying three factors likely to have an impact on people’s views: the magnitude of a company’s reduction in net sales, the magnitude of planned downsizing, and the way in which downsizing would be implemented, either through layoffs, job alliances or both. Six qualitatively different personal positions were found. Four of these following positions were expected: (1) never acceptable (15 %), (2) mainly depends on the magnitude of downsizing (22 %), (3) mainly acceptable (17 %) and (4) job alliance (8 %). Two unexpected positions were also observed: (5) drastic measures (8 %) and (6) undetermined (29 %).

Suggested Citation

  • Joana Margarida Sequeira Neto & Etienne Mullet, 2018. "Perceived Acceptability of Organizational Layoffs and Job Alliances During a Recession: A Mapping of Portuguese People’s Views," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(4), pages 1149-1157, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:152:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3270-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3270-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kihun Kim & Zulfiquer Ali Haider & Zhenyu Wu & Junsheng Dou, 2020. "Corporate Social Performance of Family Firms: A Place-Based Perspective in the Context of Layoffs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 235-252, November.
    2. Paramita, Widya & Purnomo, Boyke R. & Virgosita, Risa & Wibowo, Amin, 2022. "Small is beautiful: Insights from the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions on layoff decision in micro and small enterprises," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    3. Ionela Andreicovici & Nava Cohen & Silvia Ferramosca & Alessandro Ghio, 2021. "Two Wrongs Make a ‘Right’? Exploring the Ethical Calculus of Earnings Management Before Large Labor Dismissals," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(2), pages 379-405, August.
    4. Stefano Amato & Alessia Patuelli & Rodrigo Basco & Nicola Lattanzi, 2023. "Family Firms Amidst the Global Financial Crisis: A Territorial Embeddedness Perspective on Downsizing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(1), pages 213-236, February.

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