Research in Motion, maker of the BlackBerry device, is to cut 2,000 jobs, or 11 per cent of its workforce, as part of a drive to both reduce costs and respond to growing pressure from investors.

The company also announced several seniormanagement changes, including the retirement of Don Morrison, its chief operating officer. Mr Morrison has been on temporary leave recuperating from an undisclosed illness.

The BlackBerry maker is struggling to maintain its edge against Apple's iPhone and handsets using Google's Android operating system, among others.

RIM shares have lost more than half their value in the past six months. The company's ­market value has shrivelled from a peak of C$77bn in mid-2008 to C$14.5bn. The stock was down 4 per cent at C$25.41 in lunch time trading in Toronto.

RIM described the lay-offs on Monday as "a prudent and necessary step for the long- term success of the company", following an extended period of rapid growth.

It noted that the workforce, currently some 19,000, had almost quadrupled in the past five years.

The company said when it reported fiscal first-quarter results last month that it would cut jobs to stay competitive, but it gave no details at the time. The job cuts bring RIM's headcount to about 17,000 people.