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Dissertation
Survivors to work zombies: a processual understanding of organizational de-identification in the wake of RIFs
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010950
Abstract
This is a qualitative grounded theory study on how RIFs trigger a survivor's path to Organizational De-identification. The goal of this study was to research the lived experience of Reduction in Force (RIF) Survivors. This study explores the effect of RIFs on survivors who are meant to carry the organization forward with the added workload of coworkers that were let go, RIF victims. This study delves into the reactions, coping strategies, unintentional and intentional actions of survivors in the aftermath of RIFs with the investigative lens of the sensitizing conceptual framework of uncertainty reduction, sensemaking, fairness and justice perspective, identification and identity, and concluding with the grounded theory of Organizational De-identification. The findings are meant to make corporations aware of the effect, the mismanaged executions of RIFs have on their remaining workforce and how those effects diminish the innovation, creativity and risk taking of their employees and how that will affect their bottom line and long-term survivability. If RIFs are to be used as a tool of choice in corporate management, the preparedness for support of survivors is to be developed well in advance of a RIF.
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Details
- Title
- Survivors to work zombies
- Creators
- Elizabeth Monserrat Huynh
- Contributors
- Rajiv Nag (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 98, iv, xii, iii pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022053136004721