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Market Reactions, Characteristics, and the Effectiveness of Corporate Layoffs

Author

Listed:
  • Fayez A. Elayan
  • George S. Swales
  • Brian A. Maris
  • James R. Scott

Abstract

Two hypotheses are considered to explain employee layoffs by corporations: (1) the declining investment opportunities hypothesis; and (2) the efficiency hypothesis. The stock market response to employee layoff announcements is estimated to be negative, which is consistent with the declining investment opportunities hypothesis as opposed to the efficiency hypothesis. Large, permanent, and unanticipated layoffs are associated with higher market reaction relative to small, temporary, and anticipated layoffs. A significant difference exists between industry type and for the stated reason of the layoff. Corporate layoffs per se increased the efficiency of the firm, as evidenced by a significant increase in return on equity and net income to employee in the post‐announcement relative to the pre‐announcement period.

Suggested Citation

  • Fayez A. Elayan & George S. Swales & Brian A. Maris & James R. Scott, 1998. "Market Reactions, Characteristics, and the Effectiveness of Corporate Layoffs," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3‐4), pages 329-351, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:25:y:1998:i:3-4:p:329-351
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5957.00190
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    Cited by:

    1. Verdier, Marie-Anne & Boutant Lapeyre, Jennifer, 2023. "The myth of workforce reduction efficiency: The performativity of accounting language," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    2. Atkins, Ryan & Favreau, Charles, 2022. "The effects of layoffs and plant closings on manufacturers’ market value," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    3. Fan, Di & Liang, Tianheng & Yeung, Andy C.L. & Zhang, Haomin, 2020. "The impact of capacity-reduction initiatives on the stock market value of Chinese manufacturing firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    4. Kumar, Rahul & Pandey, Dharen Kumar & Goodell, John W., 2023. "Market reactions to layoff announcements during crises: Examining impacts and conditioners," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PB).
    5. Schulz, Ann-Christine & Johann, Sarah, 2018. "Downsizing and the fragility of corporate reputation: An analysis of the impact of contextual factors," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 40-50.
    6. Werner Neus & Andreas Walter, 2009. "Kursgewinne durch Entlassungspläne? Erste Ergebnisse aus Deutschland," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, February.
    7. E. James Cowan & Karen C. Denning & Anne Anderson & Xiaohui Yang, 2018. "Divergent Market Responses to Human Capital Reorganizations," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 8(1), pages 212-243, March.
    8. Hahn, TeWhan & Reyes, Mario G., 2004. "On the estimation of stock-market reaction to corporate layoff announcements," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 357-370.
    9. Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, 2007. "Discussion of Employee Layoffs, Shareholder Wealth and Firm Performance: Evidence from the UK," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(3‐4), pages 495-504, April.
    10. Santiago Velásquez & Juho Kanniainen & Saku Mäkinen & Jaakko Valli, 2018. "Layoff announcements and intra-day market reactions," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 203-228, January.
    11. Berninger, Marc & Gärtner, Henrik & Schiereck, Dirk, 2018. "Kapitalmarktreaktionen auf die Ankündigung von Personalabbauplänen – ein Überblick über drei Jahrzehnte empirische Evidenz," Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 72(4), pages 289-325.
    12. David Hillier & Andrew Marshall & Patrick McColgan & Samwel Werema, 2007. "Employee Layoffs, Shareholder Wealth and Firm Performance: Evidence from the UK," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(3‐4), pages 467-494, April.
    13. TeWhan Hahn & Mario G. Reyes, 2004. "On the estimation of stock‐market reaction to corporate layoff announcements," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(4), pages 357-370.
    14. Jérôme Hubler & Pierre-Xavier Meschi & Géraldine Schmidt, 2004. "Annonces de suppressions d’emplois et valeur boursière de l’entreprise," Revue Finance Contrôle Stratégie, revues.org, vol. 7(4), pages 107-142, December.
    15. Ronan Powell & Alfred Yawson, 2007. "Are Corporate Restructuring Events Driven by Common Factors? Implications for Takeover Prediction," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7‐8), pages 1169-1192, September.
    16. Mariano González-Sánchez & Eva M. Ibáñez Jiménez & Ana I. Segovia San Juan, 2021. "Board of Directors’ Remuneration, Employee Costs, and Layoffs: Evidence from Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-10, July.
    17. José Allouche & Patrice Laroche & Florent Noël, 2008. "Restructurations et performances de l’entreprise:une méta-analyse," Revue Finance Contrôle Stratégie, revues.org, vol. 11(2), pages 105-146, June.
    18. 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.
    19. Anne Anderson & E. James Cowan & Karen C. Denning, 2015. "Human Capital Reorganizations and Market Performance: U.S. Firms," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 5(2), pages 97-121, December.

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