1.g. Organizational Justice

Question 1

Organizational Justice

Answer 1

Perceptions of fairness regarding people in the workplace and the system of the workplace
- e.g. managers, colleagues, recruitment systems etc.

Perceptions of a fair work environment lead to higher commitment, trust, performance & less turnover

Perceptions of injustice lead to lower attendance & an increased likelihood to abuse company resources

Question 2

2 Dimensions of Justice in the Workplace (first)

Answer 2

1. Unit of analysis
2. Nature of the variable (of interest)

Question 3

1. Unit of analysis

Answer 3

3 roles are defined
Recipient, observer, actor

Question 4

Recipient

Answer 4

individuals who face the consequences of decisions made by others, usually employees

Question 5

Observer

Answer 5

individuals who witness interactions between the recipient and decision maker e.g. colleagues, clients, customers. They are influenced by this interaction & perception of how employees are treated

Question 6

Actor

Answer 6

newer area of OJ involving motives of decision makers to treat others fairly

Question 7

Nature of the variable (of interest)

Answer 7

Studying how OJ relates to work attitudes & behaviour (e.g. job satisfaction) –> studied as independent variables

Studying if and why perceptions of justice vary across contexts & people –> dependent variable

Question 8

1. Dimensions of Justice (second)

Answer 8

1. Distributive justice
2. Procedural justice
3. Interactional justice

Question 9

Distributive justice

Answer 9

1950s-1970s
Fairness is studied from an outcome e.g. salary, promotions
Considered fair when outcome conforms to norm of allocation

Question 10

Norms of allocation

Answer 10

Equity norms
need norms
equality norms

Question 11

Equity norms

Answer 11

Outcomes allocated based on merit i.e. higher performance, higher pay

Dominant norm

Question 12

need norm

Answer 12

outcomes allocated based on need i.e. those with more needs receive more benefits

Question 13

Equality norm

Answer 13

outcomes are allocated equally

Question 14

2. Procedural justice

Answer 14

Fairness of the process leads to decision outcomes
Developed from courtrooms - fairness of the court proceedings is used to evaluate how fair the decision made was
Having a say or a voice makes it more likely for individuals to view the final decision as fair

Question 15

Procedural justice - fair process effect

Answer 15

Individuals are more likely to react positively to an outcome if they feel the process that led them to it was fair

Question 16

3. Interactional justice

Answer 16

1980s
Outcome allocations (1st dimension) + proceedings (2nd) + treatment received from organizational representatives

Question 17

4th dimension

Answer 17

Not always counted, but most modern psychologists use it
Developed from 3rd dimension

Interactional justice
Fairness of interpersonal treatment
Informational justice
Fairness of explanations & info provided involving/regarding decision-making

Question 18

Overall justice

Answer 18

Counters idea of different dimensions

Argues that dimensions can't take into account all the different aspects considered by individuals when making a fairness judgement 

Idea that individuals consider the holistic justice of the situation when making a judgement

Question 19

Why does justice matter to people?

Answer 19

Instrumental reasons
Relational reasons
Deontic reasons

Question 20

Instrumental reasons

Answer 20

Justice ensures predictable & favourable outcomes
Used to control their own outcomes

Question 21

Relational reasons

Answer 21

Contributes to social identity by providing information about self-worth & social status
Fairness means you are valued and recognized within a group
Fulfills positive self-regard & sense of belonging

Question 22

Deontic reasons

Answer 22

Justice is viewed as a virtue, fulfilling meaningfulness
Care about justice because you care about human worth & dignity
Believe that everyone should be treated fairly

Question 23

Heuristics

Answer 23

cognitive shortcuts used to minimize cognitive resources

Question 24

Justice & Heuristics

Answer 24

Judgements about fairness are formed very quickly –> overall justice judgements
Contrasts equity theory which involves complicated mental processes and comparisons
Overall justice judgements are then used to assess fairness of later situations
Assessing through multiple justice dimensions is not necessary
Can be re-evaluated as situation changes, new information is revealed, relationship to organization changes (new position, facing different circumstances) etc.

Question 25

*Consequences of Justice Perceptions