Examining white-collar downsizing as a cause of change in the psychological contract: some UK evidence

Beaumont, P. and Harris, R. (2002) Examining white-collar downsizing as a cause of change in the psychological contract: some UK evidence. Employee Relations, 24(4), pp. 378-388. (doi: 10.1108/01425450210435527)

Abstract

The “old” psychological contract, with its emphasis on employment security, has been held to have been violated because of extensive downsizing among white-collar employees from the late 1980s and early 1990s. This proposition is tested here using multivariate analysis based on a large-scale, nationally representative dataset for five leading industries in the UK manufacturing sector for the years 1978-1995. The results obtained provide little real support for this hypothesis, thus casting doubt on its role in having produced a major change in the psychological contract.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Beaumont, Professor Phillip and Harris, Prof Richard
• Authors: Beaumont, P., and Harris, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Employee Relations
• ISSN: 0142-5455
• ISSN (Online): 1758-7069