Middle managers' work in recession and austerity: a longitudinal study

Harris, Lloyd C. and Ogbonna, Emmanuel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-1535 2020. Middle managers' work in recession and austerity: a longitudinal study. British Journal of Management 31 (2) , pp. 289-304. 10.1111/1467-8551.12360

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Abstract

Although researchers have explored the impacts of structural changes on managerial work, few insights have been generated into whether the turbulent economic environment induced by a recession and/or an extended period of austerity accelerate known changes to managerial work and/or whether recession/austerity are revealing or causing previously unknown effects. This paper explores and analyses middle managers’ reflections on how, if at all, their work is fundamentally changed by economic pressures such as recession and/or by choices of executives to impose such pressures during and post recession (commonly referred to as ‘austerity measures’). The findings suggest that middle managers responded to the recession and ongoing economic austerity in a differentiated manner, with the initial responses being largely positive. Responses became negative over time, with examples of disillusionment and cynicism, as middle managers believed that their superiors were using the disguise of recession and austerity to introduce changes that impacted profoundly on their working lives and those of their subordinates.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1045-3172
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 March 2019
Date of Acceptance:	2 March 2019
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2024 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/120367

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