Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Test of equity theory by controlling for comparison co-workers' efforts

1976; Academic Press; Volume: 15; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0030-5073(76)90045-3

1878-2647

R. Dennis Middlemist, Richard B. Peterson,

Emotional Labor in Professions

Abstract This study tested the effects of three independent variables on the level of effort exerted by 40 subjects. The three treatments were qualifications, effort of co-worker, and order of co-worker presentation. Taken collectively, the data support Adams' equity theory but suggest that “Person” will alter his inputs to resolve inequity only if he can maintain superior productivity (effort) to his comparison co-worker. The data also gives new insights regarding when “Person” may internalize a comparison referent as previously suggested by Weick and Nesset.