Contrary to popular opinion, reducing staffing levels is good. Teams are often more inefficient per worker at larger scales, the organisation suffers from management bloat, and as the old Pareto principle stipulates - full of people who are not necessary. And it absolutely can be part of acquisitions because reducing overhead and simplifying teams allows growth in other areas. Though I agree with others that these layoffs are nothing major I think all the doom and gloom over this comes from people with a general lack of understanding.Cope. Sony is down sizing.