Title: How does downsizing impact the innovative capability of a firm? A contemporary discussion with conceptual frameworks

Authors: Franco Gandolfi, Gary Oster

Addresses: School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Regent University, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 – 9800, USA. ' School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Regent University, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 – 9800, USA

Abstract: Organisations have adopted downsizing activities in the pursuit of increased productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, and effectiveness for more than three decades. While an extensive body of literature has developed related to the driving forces and consequences of downsizing, few studies have examined the impact of downsizing on innovation. This paper synthesises the bodies of literature of both downsizing and innovation and develops three conceptual frameworks depicting the impact of downsizing on the innovative capability of a firm.

Keywords: downsizing strategy; innovation; literature review; framework; innovative capability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2010.034346

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2010 Vol.8 No.2, pp.127 - 148

Published online: 01 Aug 2010 *

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