Downsizing and Affective Commitment in the Freight Services Management Industry: A Mixed Method Analysis
Downsizing and Affective Commitment in the Freight Services Management Industry: A Mixed Method Analysis

Summary/Abstract: Downsizing, which is a deliberate and systematic reduction of the workforce, has become a common practice in organizations across industries. Despite its widespread use, the impact of downsizing on employee affective commitment, or emotional attachment to the organization, remains equivocal. This study explores the impact of downsizing on affective commitment in the freight services management industry using a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative phase of the study involved a survey of 250 employees from freight services management organizations in Zimbabwe. The survey measured downsizing and affective commitment. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews with 15 employees who had experienced downsizing in freight services management organizations. The quantitative findings revealed that downsizing had a significant negative impact on affective commitment. The qualitative findings provided insights into the mechanisms through which downsizing affects affective commitment. Employees reported feeling insecure, anxious, and betrayed following downsizing. They also expressed concerns about their workload, job security, and career prospects. These negative emotions led to a decline in affective commitment. The study's findings have several implications for organizations considering downsizing. First, organizations should be aware of the potential negative impact of downsizing on employee affective commitment. Second, organizations should take steps to mitigate the negative impact of downsizing on employees, such as providing support and counselling and communicating openly with employees about the downsizing process. Third, organizations should consider alternative strategies to cost-cutting, such as process improvement and efficiency gains.

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