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“Equality Theory” as a Counterbalance to Equity Theory in Human Resource Management

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  • David Morand
  • Kimberly Merriman

Abstract

This conceptual paper revisits the concept of equality as a base of distributive justice and contends that it is underspecified, both theoretically and in terms of its ethical and pragmatic application to human resource management (HRM) within organizations. Prior organizational literature focuses primarily upon distributive equality of remunerative outcomes within small groups and implicitly employs an equity-based conception of inputs to define equality. In contrast, through exposition of the philosophical roots of equality principles, we reconceptualize inputs as de facto equal and consider the systemic application of distributive equality in the form of status leveling practices. Ethical ramifications of distributive equality so viewed are explored. We conclude by arguing that, to implicitly insert a stronger ethics focus into the study and practice of HRM, perhaps there should be “equality theory” competing with equity theory for recognition in managerial and scholarly discourse. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Suggested Citation

  • David Morand & Kimberly Merriman, 2012. "“Equality Theory” as a Counterbalance to Equity Theory in Human Resource Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 133-144, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:111:y:2012:i:1:p:133-144
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1435-y
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    2. Marco Heimann & Étienne Mullet & Jean-François Bonnefon, 2015. "Peoples’ Views About the Acceptability of Executive Bonuses and Compensation Policies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 661-671, March.
    3. Patrice Gelinas & Lisa Baillargeon, 2018. "CEO Perquisites in Canada, 1971-2008: Certainly Not Pure Managerial Excess," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(5), pages 105-105, March.
    4. Wang, Liwen & Zhao, Jane Zheng & Zhou, Kevin Zheng, 2018. "How do incentives motivate absorptive capacity development? The mediating role of employee learning and relational contingencies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 226-237.
    5. Stéphanie Chatelain-Ponroy & Christine Musselin & Stéphanie Mignot-Gerard & Samuel Sponem, 2013. "Reforms in French Public Universities. How does commitment to performance match with commitment to public values?," Post-Print halshs-00842166, HAL.
    6. Huh, Woonghee Tim & Lee, Jaywon & Park, Heesang & Park, Kun Soo, 2019. "The potty parity problem: Towards gender equality at restrooms in business facilities," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    7. Ryan, James Christopher, 2016. "Old knowledge for new impacts: Equity theory and workforce nationalization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1587-1592.

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