Dynamic resource‐acquisition strategies: Analysis of survivor betweenness centrality relationships after downsizing

• Published in: Journal of occupational and organizational psychology 2023-06, Vol.96 (2), p.378-396
• Main Authors: Moore, Ozias A., Susskind, Alex M., Margolin, Drew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: betweenness centrality; Disruption; Downsizing; Employees; network excision; Occupational psychology; Stabilization; Survivor; Suspension; tie‐seeking logics
• ISSN: 0963-1798; 2044-8325
• DOI: 10.1111/joop.12418

This paper investigates dynamic changes in instrumental (i.e., work‐related) tie‐seeking patterns and the structure of a communication network following a downsizing event—whereby many employees are simultaneously eliminated from a network. Our analysis spans a two‐year period and applies a resource‐ and network‐change approach to examine how survivors develop revised resource‐acquisition strategies while repositioning themselves after a downsizing. Our results demonstrate that two temporary logics of tie formation—a suspension of within‐unit homophily and a preference for seeking ties with long‐tenured employees—help employees acquire betweenness centrality during the disruption period. Specifically, we find that disruption initiates a transitional period after downsizing in which new tie‐making logics are employed, including seeking out ties with long‐tenured employees and employees outside of one's department. We observed post‐disruption, during the stabilization period after downsizing, where logics used for tie‐making in the disruption period were abandoned, pre‐disruption tie‐making logics were resumed, and betweenness centrality remained relatively constant. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these results and suggest future research directions.