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Meanings and Dimensions of Organizational Justice in China: An Inductive Investigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2015

Chun Guo  and
Jane K. Giacobbe-Miller
Chun Guo
Affiliation:
Sacred Heart University, USA
Jane K. Giacobbe-Miller
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
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Abstract

Taking an inductive approach followed by validation techniques, we analyzed the meaning and dimensionality of the organizational justice construct in the People's Republic of China (China). By using qualitative and quantitative methods, we found that organizational justice involves a higher level of subjectivity in the Chinese context. Interpretation and organizational justice judgments depend on the specific situation and social relations involved. The findings revealed similarities with the Western conceptualization with one important exception, suggesting both cultural values and institutional environment shape justice judgments and managerial practices in China. The article concludes with a discussion of the findings and implications for management theory, research, and practice.

Keywords

Chinacollective culturefairnessinductive analysisinstitutional environmentorganizational justice
Type
Special Issue Articles
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 11 , Issue 1: Special Issue Behavioral Ethics, Organizational Justice, and Social Responsibility , March 2015 , pp. 45 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © The International Association for Chinese Management Research 2015 

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