Asian Research Thesis Index

Abstract

The cut throat competition, economic dependency and scarcity of resources pressurize the organizations to opt for restructuring. Restructuring has been one of the main areas of policy making in developed countries and transition economies but little evidence is available regarding developing countries. Now the trend has set in to adopt the same strategies in the developing countries as well. Mostly organizations go for downsizing to avoid the negative effect of the operations and to avoid low profitability. Research on the effects of downsizing has focused on global, organizational and the individual levels. However, this research, conducted at the individual level, focuses specifically on the after effects of downsizing on the survivors. Downsizing refers to activities undertaken by management to improve the efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of the organization by reducing the workforce size. The researchers across the globe have explained the types of response one can expect from survivors of organizational downsizing. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship of several variables effecting survivors. This is accomplished by systematically analyzing the responses of layoff survivors. This study examines how the perceived workload increase affects the actual role overload of layoff survivors. Moreover, this study examines the effects of role overload on job satisfaction, life satisfaction and work - life balance of layoff survivors. How perceived work - life balance effects their job and life satisfaction, retention and organizational commitment. Study also looks into the relationship of job satisfaction and life satisfaction, retention and organizational commitment with layoff survivors’ productivity using questionnaire. The data was obtained form the layoff survivors working in two major organizations of the country including Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL). These organizations laid - off their employees in the recent past. Path analysis, a segment of structural equation modeling is used to test the model and the hypothesis. The results of the study are based on 450 responses retrieved from layoff survivors. Mostly the measures for the assessment of the variables included in the study are adopted from the previous available research studies but a few minor changes are made as per requirements of the study. The findings show that higher level of perceived work loads are positively related to role overload, a type of stress, and role overload negatively affects the work - life balance, job satisfaction and life satisfaction of layoff survivors. Rational quantity of workload is necessary for ensuring employee performance where as the excessive workload harms productivity. The work - life balance practices in the organization positively effect job satisfaction, retention of layoff survivors in the same organization, their organizational commitment and life satisfaction. Finally the job and life satisfaction, retention and commitment of layoff survivors effect their productivity positively. This study is beneficial for the organizations going for downsizing; to manage their activities and employee related issues regarding work, life and employee productivity.

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