SURVIVORS INFORMATION-SEEKING FOLLOWING A REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE

Although research on downsizing emphasizes surviving employees' reacti ons to organizational change, little attention is given to survivors' attempts to meet their information needs. This study of a national ins urance company examines employees' information-seeing behaviors prior to and following a permanent reduction in force (RIF). Results indicat e that an RIF (a) increases survivors' information deprivation and job insecurity and (b) is associated with the increased use of certain in formation-seeking strategies and the decreased use of others. In addit ion, survivors' need for feedback differentially affects their informa tion-seeking efforts. The implications of the research findings and di rections for future research are discussed.