TY - JOUR

T1 - Layoff Agency

T2 - A Theoretical Framework

AU - Parker, Thomas

AU - McKinley, William

PY - 2008/8

Y1 - 2008/8

N2 - The current downsizing literature has neglected the cognitions and behaviors of layoff agents. In this article, layoff agents are defined as employees who assist in the implementation of layoffs in their employing organizations. The article develops a theoretical framework that focuses on the cognitions and perceptions of those individuals. This framework suggests that layoff agents have the potential to experience cognitive dissonance as a result of their layoff agency activities, and under some conditions they will seek to reduce that dissonance by altering their perceptions of organizational downsizing. The framework specifies variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency and cognitive dissonance and also variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency—induced cognitive dissonance and agent perceptions of organizational downsizing. The moderating effects of these variables are captured in a set of propositions suitable for testing in future empirical research on the psychology of layoff agents.

AB - The current downsizing literature has neglected the cognitions and behaviors of layoff agents. In this article, layoff agents are defined as employees who assist in the implementation of layoffs in their employing organizations. The article develops a theoretical framework that focuses on the cognitions and perceptions of those individuals. This framework suggests that layoff agents have the potential to experience cognitive dissonance as a result of their layoff agency activities, and under some conditions they will seek to reduce that dissonance by altering their perceptions of organizational downsizing. The framework specifies variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency and cognitive dissonance and also variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency—induced cognitive dissonance and agent perceptions of organizational downsizing. The moderating effects of these variables are captured in a set of propositions suitable for testing in future empirical research on the psychology of layoff agents.

KW - Entrepreneurship

KW - cognitions

KW - institutionalization

KW - layoff agents

KW - perception of downsizing

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=47749109534&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/1548051808318001

DO - 10.1177/1548051808318001

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 15

SP - 46

EP - 58

JO - Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies

JF - Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies

SN - 1548-0518

IS - 1

ER -