Previous studies with empirical evidence on social responsible driven closedowns have identified a productivity increase effect that occurs during the process of organizational closedowns, known as the closedown effect. Our proposition is that this effect can be anticipated as a consequence of a closedown decision. Encountering four different non social responsible closedown cases, of various durations, we statistically test this proposition. Further, we identify a need for an analytical distinction of the phases of the closedown process, in terms of the primary 'advanced notice period' and the secondary 'countdown period'. Based on the analysis, and with this distinction, we are able to conclude that the productivity increase effect can be anticipated during the countdown period. The comparably longer time frame in the Studding case provides the strongest support for our proposition. From the analysis we suggest hypotheses for further research.

In this article we highlight rationalizations within industry that were initiated and conducted locally during overt or latent threat of plant close-down. A common feature in our four investigated cases of 'declining organizations' is that the surprising increases in productivity cannot be thought of as the result of 'management by fear' or other active measures taken by management. On the contrary, our findings suggest that the 'close-down effect' is brought about through workers' active and creative involvement in production matters when managers' interest in maintaining the established order at the workplace is fading away.

This article focuses on the analysis of and suggestions for improving company-level flexicurity during the restructuring process, based on a best-practice case in Sweden. The parties involved in the restructuring process created company-level flexicurity through strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) in exchange for increased numerical flexibility by means of temporary employees. The high numerical flexibility was possible because the trade unions saw that top management was committed to strategic socially responsible behaviour in the restructuring process. Our proposal concerns the dissemination of a model for company-level flexicurity during the restructuring process which promotes: (1) improved strategic CSR in the restructuring process, (2) improved transition to new employment in the local labour market and (3) improved flexibility, which creates increased efficiency, competitiveness and rapid payback in the course of restructuring. Cet article est centré sur l’analyse de la « flexicurité » au niveau de l’entreprise durant le processus de restructuration et sur des suggestions d’amélioration sur la base d’un cas de meilleure pratique en Suède. Les parties impliquées dans le processus de restructuration ont créé une « flexicurité » au niveau de l’entreprise au travers d’une approche stratégique de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE), en échange d’une flexibilité numérique accrue grâce au recours à une main-d’oeuvre temporaire. La flexibilité numérique élevée a été rendue possible parce que les syndicats ont vu que le sommet du management avait adopté un comportement stratégique socialement responsable durant le processus de restructuration. Notre proposition concerne la dissémination d’un modèle de flexicurité durant le processus de restructuration qui promeut: (1) une meilleure approche stratégique de la RSE durant le processus de restructuration, (2) une meilleure transition vers un nouvel emploi sur le marché du travail local, et (3) une meilleure flexibilité, qui génère une efficience et une compétitivité accrues et un retour rapide à la rentabilité au cours de la restructuration. Dieser Beitrag untersucht anhand eines Beispiels bewährter Praxis in Schweden die Anwendung betrieblicher Flexicurity-Regelungen während des Umstrukturierungsprozesses und formuliert Vorschläge für deren Verbesserung. Die an dieser Umstrukturierung beteiligten Parteien haben eine Flexicurity-Regelung im Rahmen einer Strategie zur sozialen Verantwortung des Unternehmens (CSR) eingeführt, als Gegenleistung für eine erhöhte Flexibilität durch den Einsatz von Zeitarbeitskräften. Die Gewerkschaften akzeptierten die hohe Flexibilität, weil die Unternehmensführung sich zu einem strategischen sozial verantwortungsvollen Handeln im Umstrukturierungsprozess verpflichtet hatte. Aus unserer Sicht sollte bei Umstrukturierungsprozessen ein betriebliches Flexicurity-Modell angewandt werden, das Folgendes fördert: 1) eine verbesserte strategische CSR im Umstrukturierungsprozess, 2) einen besseren Übergang in eine neue Beschäftigung auf dem lokalen Arbeitsmarkt und 3) eine verbesserte Flexibilität, die zu mehr Effizienz und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit führt und eine schnelle Amortisierung während der Umstrukturierung ermöglicht.

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PurposeThis paper aims to explore and analyse how shifting frontiers of control emerge and change the labour process so that restrictions to output become diminished, subsequently affecting organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachMultiple case study design. Interviews with 104 respondents. Analysis of productivity statistics in order to test for the statistical significance of the closedown effect. Single multiple regression analysis of the comparative strength, of the closedown effect, between cases.FindingsShifting frontiers of control arise during the closedown process, a control system characterised by markedly unrestricted autonomy for the workers as the management frontiers of control abate. This provides an operative space for informal work practices, innovation and emerging new industrial relations, accounting for the higher levels of output.Research limitations/implicationsA multiple case study of three different manufacturing organisations, with comparably long closedown periods. The authors do not analyse the sustainability of the increase in output or the generalisibility of the closedown effect to other industries.Practical implicationsIt is possible to anticipate improved productivity if shifting frontiers of control are rapidly replacing the old. If management abandons the old control mechanisms, previous to the closedown decision, and provides operative space for workers' initiatives and informal leadership during the closedown process, it is possible to expect good performance, enabling a scope for extended closedown periods.Originality/valueThis is the first study that analyses the comparative strength of the closedown effect and how restricted work practices change under the process of closedown.