Wythe Pharmaceuticals recently merged with a large multinational company, Valence Group. The new management made many changes. They decided to move the bulk of manufacturing overseas and cut the marketing department in half. They also restructured the research and development branch. The result was massive reorganization at every level, along with major downsizing that affected almost 20 percent of the Wythe workforce. Due to the downsizing, Hugh and Deanna lost their jobs, but their colleague Eloise was able to keep hers. Which statement about the friends is most likely True two months later?
A) Hugh and Deanna experienced a marked increase in depression, even though both quickly found new jobs.
B) Eloise experienced a lower level of affective commitment, but her level of normative commitment stayed about the same.
C) Because Eloise had to take on new job duties as a result of the changes, her level of organizational commitment increased.
D) Hugh and Deanna, in new jobs, experienced less work-related stress overall than Eloise, who felt depressed by the changes.
E) Eloise, as one of the survivors, was happier overall, while Hugh and Deanna were still dealing with the psychological fallout.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Why doesn't downsizing tend to work? One reason revolves around the organizational commitment levels of the so-called survivors. The employees who remain in the organization after a downsizing are often stricken with "survivor syndrome," characterized by anger, depression, fear, distrust, and guilt. One study found that downsizing survivors actually experienced more work-related stress than did the downsizing victims who went on to find new employment.

Wythe Pharmaceuticals Recently Merged with a Large Multinational Company, Valence