Releasing absorbed slack in R&D-organizations – The insider perspective

Magazine article, 2008

Abstract: To increase efficiency and effectiveness, companies try to reduce slack. Many simply reduce the budget. There are many risks involved in this approach. Much slack is absorbed in organizational processes and does not let itself be released without a change in work procedures. The management literature says little on how this is done. There is even less written on how employees actually handle the situation. Interviews with 74 employees in Ericsson and Volvo Cars provide insight into their view of the management of efficiency and effectiveness and develop our understanding of the management of slack.