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Employee Downsizing Strategies: Market Reaction and Post Announcement Financial Performance

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  • Peter Chalos
  • Charles J. P. Chen

Abstract

Empirical studies have generally reported insignificant market reactions to employee downsizing. In an effort to reconcile ongoing layoffs with inconclusive empirical results, we segregated our sample by downsizing strategy and examined employee layoff announcements made by Fortune 500 firms during the 1993–1995 period. Unlike previous studies, we find a positive market reaction for layoff announcements related to revenue refocusing. Market reaction with respect to layoff announcements involving cost cutting was insignificant while weak evidence was found for a negative market reaction to layoffs related to plant closings. Consistent with the market reaction, post announcement analysis revealed that downsizing in conjunction with revenue refocusing (plant closing) improved (reduced) firm financial performance and that revenue refocusing firms significantly outperformed cost cutting and plant closing firms over the three–year post announcement period.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Chalos & Charles J. P. Chen, 2002. "Employee Downsizing Strategies: Market Reaction and Post Announcement Financial Performance," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5‐6), pages 847-870.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:29:y:2002:i:5-6:p:847-870
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5957.00453
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Shahram Ali Kazho & Tarik Atan, 2022. "Public Sector Downsizing and Public Sector Performance: Findings from a Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Kao, Chun-Lin & Chen, Ming-Yuan, 2020. "Employee downsizing, financial constraints, and production efficiency of firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 59-73.
    4. 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.
    5. Yonghyun Kwon & Seung Hun Han & Young Woo Koh, 2022. "Production Suspension, Corporate Governance, and Firm Value," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(10), pages 2711-2735, August.
    6. 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).
    7. Michelle Haynes & Steve Thompson & Mike Wright, 2007. "Executive Remuneration and Corporate Divestment: Motivating Managers to Make Unpalatable Decisions," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(5‐6), pages 792-818, June.

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