Developing a framework for responsible downsizing through best fit: the importance of regulatory, procedural, communication and employment responsibilities

The COVID-19 crisis has caused a wave of redundancies globally. This brought the organisational practice downsizing into sharp relief. Responsible is broadly understood as actions, practices and strategies adopted by organisations to ameliorate negative effects redundancy. paper draws on HR theories best fit explore phenomenon responsible downsizing, dominant focus in extant literature identification ‘responsible’ practices. In challenging these prevailing assumptions, this contends that more usefully theoretically underpinned approach. While there value adopting argues greater attention should be paid how organisational, societal institutional contexts shape their implementation. Based review 44 empirical articles, advances framework for downsizing. establishes four types responsibility: regulatory, procedural, communication employment responsibilities. Critical areas future research are also mapped along with conceptual practical implications.