I think time has a lot to do with it. I have been in the same place for ages and I remember starting out with some people at the same time and at least two of them were utter plums. One of them insisted on going for every promotion opportunity he could get and he kept failing. But eventually by not leaving he ended up getting the jobs he was going for and is now doing quite well for himself!
There is always that fear when they start outsourcing and incorporating other companies in. I guess it is a happy situation when they dont have that big everybody attend call! Mine had one ten years ago and even though I would have been happy to take a payoff Iwas relieved when I wasn't one of the chosen few