IBM will be closing its research and development operations in China. The move is likely to impact more than 1,000 jobs.
The decision was revealed by the company on Monday and is likely part of IBM’s broader strategy to realign its operations amid falling hardware demand and difficulties in expanding within growth markets like China.
An IBM spokesperson confirmed the move, stating that it would not impact the company’s ability to support clients in the Greater China region. The spokesperson said that the adjustments were necessary to better serve IBM’s clients, despite not providing specific details about the layoffs.
Reports indicate that over the weekend, IBM's China-based R&D employees experienced disruptions, including being blocked from accessing the company’s intranet system. The job cuts were formally announced during an internal meeting on Monday morning, with multiple employees sharing news of the development on Chinese social media platforms.
