oa Alternation - Perceptions of the measurability, importance and effects of work equity on job satisfaction and work motivation: an exploratory study of the utility of equity theory

Abstract

Adams' Equity theory (Adams, 1965) suggests that employees' perceptions of equity or inequity stem from individual comparisons with salient referents of individual personal-referent perceptions of work inputs to outcomes ratios. Although the theory has proven to be generally correct in showing that employee motivation is affected by the perceived ratio of work inputs to outcomes, there are several aspects that have not been sufficiently articulated (Cosier & Dalton, 1983; Robbins, 1994:457). Using a cross-sectional correlation research design consisting of a sample of academics specifically aimed at exploring input equity perceptions and effects, preliminary findings indicate that: Roughly half the respondents felt it was not possible to measure (define and weigh) academic workloads accurately and, Respondents who felt that equity in workload was important (equity sensitives) also felt that inequities in work loads affected the job satisfaction and motivation of work colleagues.