Staying with or Leaving the Organization

Abstract

Corporate restructuring activities in American corporations during the 1980s have created a variety of dilemmas for individuals in the mid-career years. This article proposes a two dimensional framework for understanding the experience of those facing these mid-career restructuring dilemmas. One dimension is whether the individual leaves the organization or remains in the organization. The other dimension is whether the decision is voluntary or involuntary. Interviews indicate that those most successful in managing the transitions of this career period are flexible in response to changing circumstances, have a high level of awareness, are characterized by information seeking behavior, and have the capacity to venture beyond previous boundaries and known ground.