The dynamics of delayering: changing management structures in three countries

Article


Littler, Craig R., Wiesner, Retha and Dunford, Richard. 2003. "The dynamics of delayering: changing management structures in three countries." Journal of Management Studies. 40 (2), pp. 225-256. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.00339
Article Title

The dynamics of delayering: changing management structures in three countries

ERA Journal ID19175
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLittler, Craig R. (Author), Wiesner, Retha (Author) and Dunford, Richard (Author)
Journal TitleJournal of Management Studies
Journal Citation40 (2), pp. 225-256
Number of Pages32
Year2003
Place of PublicationOxford, United Kingdom
ISSN0022-2380
1467-6486
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.00339
Web Address (URL)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-6486.00339
Abstract

The 1990s witnessed significant changes in organizational design philosophy.This paper delineates trends in delayering based on surveys of 2964 organizations across three countries and assesses the effects in terms of management structures, workloads,productivity and the notion of the 'survivor syndrome'. It concludes that delayering has been widespread as an organizational strategy; that there are few signs of a delayering -relayering cycle, but the effects in relation to managers was a collapse of commitment in Australia and South Africa. However, there were significant diffences in New Zealand. A downsizing/delayering model is discussed.

Keywordsmanagement structure; delayering; organizational behaviour
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350710. Organisational behaviour
520104. Industrial and organisational psychology (incl. human factors)
350503. Human resources management
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of London, United Kingdom
Department of Management and Organisational Behaviour
Macquarie University
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9zw3z/the-dynamics-of-delayering-changing-management-structures-in-three-countries

  • 2193
    total views
  • 13
    total downloads
  • 12
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The interplay between the entrepreneurial leadership identity, entrepreneurial leadership competency and venture growth intentions of women in rural Australia
Dhakal, Purushottam, Wiesner, Retha and Maraseni, Tek. 2024. "The interplay between the entrepreneurial leadership identity, entrepreneurial leadership competency and venture growth intentions of women in rural Australia." PLoS One. 19 (2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296865
Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?
Alam, Khorshed, Ali, Mohammad Afshar, Erdiaw-Kwasie, Michael, Shahiduzzaman, Md, Velayutham, Eswaran, Murray, Peter A. and Wiesner, Retha. 2022. "Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?" Sustainability. 14 (10), pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105801
When Entrepreneurial Leadership Identity and Passion Meet Venture Growth Intention
Dhakal, Purushottam, Wiesner, Retha and Maraseni, Tek. 2022. "When Entrepreneurial Leadership Identity and Passion Meet Venture Growth Intention." Sustainability. 14 (20), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013129
Digital transformation among SMEs: does gender matter?
Alam, Khorshed, Ali, Mohammad Afshar, Erdiaw-Kwasie, Michael O., Murray, Peter A. and Wiesner, Retha. 2022. "Digital transformation among SMEs: does gender matter?" Sustainability. 14 (1), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010535
Capital Factors Influencing Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Entrepreneurship Development: An Australian Perspective
Kille, Tarryn, Wiesner, Retha, Lee, Seung-Yong, Johnson Morgan, Melissa Johnson, Summers, Jane and Davoodian, Daniel. 2022. "Capital Factors Influencing Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Entrepreneurship Development: An Australian Perspective." Sustainability. 14 (24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416442
Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises (WiRE): Playing Big in Business Project
Wiesner, Retha. 2021. Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises (WiRE): Playing Big in Business Project. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australia
Wood, Jack, Zeffane, Rachid, Fromholtz, Michele, Wiesner, Retha, Morrison, Rachel R., Factor, Aharon and McKeown, Tui. 2019. Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australia. Milton, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Women in rural, regional and remote enterprises (WiRE): playing big in business - Final Report (DESBT19241)
Wiesner, Retha. 2020. Women in rural, regional and remote enterprises (WiRE): playing big in business - Final Report (DESBT19241). Springfield, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
The WiRE Start-up, Scale-up and Going Global Project: final report
Wiesner, Retha. 2019. The WiRE Start-up, Scale-up and Going Global Project: final report. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Smaller businesses and e-innovation: a winning combination in Australia
Alam, Khorshed, Adeyinka, Adewuyi Ayodele and Wiesner, Retha. 2020. "Smaller businesses and e-innovation: a winning combination in Australia." Journal of Business Strategy. 41 (2), pp. 39-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-11-2018-0186
The WiRE program: advancing women in rural, regional and remote enterprises through entrepreneurship, detailed final report to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Wiesner, Retha. 2018. The WiRE program: advancing women in rural, regional and remote enterprises through entrepreneurship, detailed final report to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. Springfield, Queensland, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Managing Change Toward Environmental Sustainability: A Conceptual Model in Small and Medium Enterprises
Wiesner, Retha, Chadee, Doren and Best, Peter. 2017. "Managing Change Toward Environmental Sustainability: A Conceptual Model in Small and Medium Enterprises ." Organization and Environment: international journal of ecosocial research. 31 (2), pp. 152-177. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026616689292
Management: an Asia Pacific perspective
Schermerhorn, John R., Campling, John, Poole, David and Wiesner, Retha. 2004. Management: an Asia Pacific perspective. Milton, Queensland. John Wiley & Sons.
How do Australian SMEs plan?
Wiesner, Retha and Millett, Bruce. 2009. "How do Australian SMEs plan?" 22nd Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (SEAANZ 2009). Wellington, New Zealand 31 Aug - 02 Sep 2009 Wellington, New Zealand.
Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australasia
Wood, Jack, Zeffane, Rachid, Fromholtz, Michelle, Wiesner, Retha, Morrison, Rachel and Seet, Phi-Shen. 2012. Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australasia. Milton, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australasia.
Wood, Jack Maxwell, Zeffane, Rachid M., Fromholtz, Michelle, Wiesner, Retha, Morrison, Rachel, Factor, Aharon, McKeown, Tui, Schermerhorn, John R., Hunt, James G. and Osborn, Richard N.. 2016. Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications, Australasia. Milton, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Minimising Motor Vehicle Incidents (MVI’s) through teams and rewards (PeerSafe)
Wiesner, Retha. 2013. Minimising Motor Vehicle Incidents (MVI’s) through teams and rewards (PeerSafe). Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Empowering women through entrepreneurship, innovation and business sustainability in Pakistan
Wiesner, Retha and Mushtaq, Shahbaz. 2014. Empowering women through entrepreneurship, innovation and business sustainability in Pakistan. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Queensland Watt Savers final report
Wiesner, Retha and Cotter, Julie. 2015. Queensland Watt Savers final report. Brisbane, Australia. CitySmart.
A research report on developing an initial best practice framework for managing environmental sustainability change in Australian small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)
Wiesner, Retha, Chadee, Doren and Best, Peter. 2010. A research report on developing an initial best practice framework for managing environmental sustainability change in Australian small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Human resources and sustainability
Wiesner, Retha. 2013. "Human resources and sustainability." Moscardo, Gianna (ed.) Sustainability in Australian business. Milton, Qld, Australia. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 343-366
Employee perceptions of workforce retention strategies in a health system
Belbin, Cheryl, Erwee, Ronel and Wiesner, Retha. 2012. "Employee perceptions of workforce retention strategies in a health system." Journal of Management and Organization. 18 (5), pp. 742-760. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1833367200000651
Strategic approaches in Australian SMEs: deliberate or emergent?
Wiesner, Retha and Millett, Bruce. 2012. "Strategic approaches in Australian SMEs: deliberate or emergent?" Journal of Management and Organization. 18 (1), pp. 98-122. https://doi.org/10.5172/jmo.2012.18.1.98
Environmental sustainability change management in SMEs: learning from sustainability champions
Chadee, Doren, Wiesner, Retha and Roxas, Banjo. 2011. "Environmental sustainability change management in SMEs: learning from sustainability champions." International Journal of Learning and Change. 5 (3/4), pp. 194-207. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLC.2011.045068
Exploring high performance management practices in Pakistani SMEs
Raziq, Abdul and Wiesner, Retha. 2011. "Exploring high performance management practices in Pakistani SMEs." Hunter, Murray (ed.) 1st Annual International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE 2011). Singapore 25 - 26 Jul 2011 Singapore. https://doi.org/10.5716/978-981-08-9493-1_IE50
The role of strategic planning and HR managerial involvement and types and sources of analytic information on SME performance
Innes, Peter and Wiesner, Retha. 2011. "The role of strategic planning and HR managerial involvement and types and sources of analytic information on SME performance." Sohal, Amrik (ed.) QIK 2011: Aligning Innovation in Developed and Emerging Economies. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 15 - 18 Feb 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Organisational change in SMEs: change innovators or laggards?
Wiesner, Retha and Poole, Nicci. 2011. "Organisational change in SMEs: change innovators or laggards?" Sohal, Amrik (ed.) QIK 2011: Aligning Innovation in Developed and Emerging Economies. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 15 - 18 Feb 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Insights into sustainability change management from an organisational learning perspective: learning from SME sustainability champions
Wiesner, Retha, Chadee, Doren and Best, Peter. 2011. "Insights into sustainability change management from an organisational learning perspective: learning from SME sustainability champions." Sohal, Amrik (ed.) QIK 2011: Aligning Innovation in Developed and Emerging Economies. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 15 - 18 Feb 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Beyond HRM intensity: Exploring intra-function HRM clusters in SMEs
Innes, Peter and Wiesner, Retha. 2012. "Beyond HRM intensity: Exploring intra-function HRM clusters in SMEs ." Small Enterprise Research. 19 (1), pp. 32-51. https://doi.org/10.5172/ser.2012.19.1.32
Management: 2nd Asia-Pacific ed
Campling, John, Poole, David, Wiesner, Retha and Schermerhorn, John R.. 2006. Management: 2nd Asia-Pacific ed. Brisbane, Queensland. John Wiley & Sons.
Organisational change in small and medium enterprises - a proposed new model
Banham, Heather C. and Wiesner, Retha. 2006. "Organisational change in small and medium enterprises - a proposed new model." Kennedy, Jessica and Di Milia, Lee (ed.) 20rd Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2006). Yeppoon, Australia 06 - 09 Dec 2006 Brisbane, Australia.
Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications
Wood, Jack, Zeffane, Rachid, Fromholtz, Michele, Wiesner, Retha and Creed, Andrew. 2010. Organisational behaviour: core concepts and applications. Milton, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Restructuring and the psychological contract in the Australian banking industry
Maguire, Heather and Littler, Craig R.. 1997. "Restructuring and the psychological contract in the Australian banking industry." Griggin, Gerry (ed.) 11th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 1997). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 06 Dec 1997 Melbourne, Australia.
Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): a study of high performance management practices
Wiesner, Retha, McDonald, Jim and Banham, Heather C.. 2007. "Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): a study of high performance management practices." Journal of Management and Organization. 13 (3), pp. 227-248. https://doi.org/10.5172/jmo.2007.13.3.227
Is the current situation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) conducive to attaining their economic expectations?
Banham, Heather C. and Wiesner, Retha. 2006. "Is the current situation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) conducive to attaining their economic expectations?" Raymond, Louis (ed.) CCSBE 2006: Entrepreneurship, SMEs, and Local Economic Development. Quebec, Canada 28 - 30 Sep 2006 Canada.
Human resource acquisition in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) [Virtual presentation in English]
Wiesner, Retha and Poole, Nicci. 2006. "Human resource acquisition in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) [Virtual presentation in English]." 1st International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Rhodes, Greece 18 - 22 Jul 2006 Champaign, IL. United States.
Practices and attitudes of female SME managers: training, networking and mentoring [Virtual presentation in english]
Wiesner, Retha and Poole, Nicci. 2006. "Practices and attitudes of female SME managers: training, networking and mentoring [Virtual presentation in english]." 1st International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Rhodes, Greece 18 - 22 Jul 2006 Champaign, IL. United States.
Bleak house or bright prospect?: HRM in Australian SMEs over 1998-2008
Wiesner, Retha and Innes, Peter. 2010. "Bleak house or bright prospect?: HRM in Australian SMEs over 1998-2008." Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources. 48 (2), pp. 151-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038411110368465
Critical pre-implementation elements in engendering change for sustainability in SMEs: insights from SME sustainability leaders
Wiesner, Retha, Chadee, Doren and Best, Peter J.. 2010. "Critical pre-implementation elements in engendering change for sustainability in SMEs: insights from SME sustainability leaders." O'Connor, Christine (ed.) 10th Annual Pacific Employment Relations Association Conference (PERA 2010) : Sustainability, Inclusiveness and Governance: People Management Issues in the Organisation of the Future. Gold Coast, Australia 15 - 18 Nov 2010 Ballarat, Australia.
Managing environmental sustainability in SMEs: learning from the stars: a research report on developing a best practice framework for managing environmental sustain-ability in Australian small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)
Wiesner, Retha, Chadee, Doren, Best, Peter J. and Poole, Nicci. 2010. Managing environmental sustainability in SMEs: learning from the stars: a research report on developing a best practice framework for managing environmental sustain-ability in Australian small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Strategies to minimise the impact of challenging times on training: final report
Wiesner, Retha, Millett, Bruce and Zhang, Yahua. 2009. Strategies to minimise the impact of challenging times on training: final report. Brisbane, Australia. Construction Skills Queensland.
Organizational change in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Wiesner, Retha, Banham, Heather C. and Poole, Nicci. 2004. "Organizational change in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)." CCSBE 2004: Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: Innovation, Opportunity and Capacity. Saskatchewan, Canada 12 - 13 Nov 2004 Saskatchewan, Canada.
Contemporary issues and emerging themes in leadership
Wiesner, Retha. 2008. "Contemporary issues and emerging themes in leadership." Parnos, Carmen (ed.) Super leaders of Australia. Melbourne, Australia. Carmen Parnos. pp. 25-41
Managing change: mental models of SME managers
Wiesner, Retha and Poole, Nicci. 2009. "Managing change: mental models of SME managers." SEAANZ 2009: Start Small - Think Big. Wellington, New Zealand 31 Aug - 02 Sep 2009 Wellington, New Zealand.
Management: Asia-Pacific
Campling, John, Poole, David, Wiesner, Retha, Ang, Eng Sieng, Chan, Bobbie, Tan, Wee-Liang and Schermerhorn Jr, John R.. 2007. Management: Asia-Pacific. Brisbane, Australia. John Wiley & Sons.
Restructuring in the Australian banking industry
Littler, Craig R. and Maguire, Heather. 2001. "Restructuring in the Australian banking industry." Dawkins, Peter and Littler, Craig R. (ed.) Downsizing: is it working for Australia?. Melbourne, Australia. University of Melbourne. pp. 24-47
High performance management practices in owner-managed SMEs
Wiesner, Retha, Poole, Nicci and Banham, Heather C.. 2007. "High performance management practices in owner-managed SMEs." Hall, Margaret (ed.) 30th Annual ISBE Conference: International Entrepreneurship. Glasgow, United Kingdom 07 - 09 Nov 2007 Harrogate, United Kingdom.
The human side of small and medium enterprises
Wiesner, Retha and McDonald, Jim. 2001. "The human side of small and medium enterprises." Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management. 7 (2), pp. 58-69. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1833367200005228
Managers on the move
Marchant, Teresa, Critchley, Bob and Littler, Craig. 1997. "Managers on the move." HR Monthly.
Organisational change in the food and accommodation industry sector in the Central Okanagan
Banham, Heather C. and Wiesner, Retha. 2005. "Organisational change in the food and accommodation industry sector in the Central Okanagan." TTRA 2005: The New Tourism Realities. Kelowna, Canada 02 - 05 Nov 2005 Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.