Perceptions Of Unfairness Research Articles

Tipping Dilemma in Restaurants’ Age of Automation: Exploring the Role of Social Obligations, Explicit Requests, and Their Timing

ABSTRACT Despite the wide implementation of automated services (e.g. self-service kiosks and mobile checkouts) to optimize service efficiency, restaurant customers’ perceptions related to tipping in this context have received less attention. Two between-subject experiments were conducted among US consumers. The findings reveal that explicit tip requests increase unfairness perceptions when people feel more obliged to tip (Study 1), and for those who feel a higher obligation to tip, the unfairness perceptions are enhanced when the tip is requested before the service delivery (Study 2). This study enhances the existing literature on tipping behavior and service automation, additionally providing valuable insights for restaurant managers by offering guidelines for tip requests aimed at mitigating negative customer reactions such as perceptions of unfairness and decreased trust in the restaurant.

Does Price Personalization Ethically Outperform Unitary Pricing? A Thought Experiment and a Simulation Study

AbstractMerchants often use personalized pricing: they charge different consumers different prices for the same product. We assess the ethicality of personalized pricing by generalizing and extending an earlier model by Coker and Izaret (Journal of Business Ethics 173:387–398, 2021) who found that price personalization ethically outperforms unitary pricing. Using a simulation analysis, we show that these results crucially depend on the choice of parameters and do not hold universally. We further incorporate additional sources of marginal cost into the utility function that will likely arise from personalized pricing. These include the expectation that personalized pricing is widely considered unfair by consumers who prefer that all consumers are charged the same price (unitary pricing), and that firms often approximate the consumers’ willingness-to-pay in ways that may raise negative sentiments among consumers who feel that their privacy is breached. By extending our model with disutility from unfairness perception and disutility from surveillance aversion, we demonstrate that personalized pricing is quickly outperformed by unitary pricing under social welfare functions that tend to prioritize total utility (utilitarianism and prioritarianism), whereas personalized pricing can ethically outperform unitary pricing under social welfare functions that tend to prioritize equality (egalitarianism and leximin). Our findings illustrate various intricacies and dynamics regarding the circumstances under which personalized pricing can be considered ethical.

Article: Assessing the Impact of Corruption on Taxpayer Perceptions of Fairness: Insights from SMEs in Uganda

Corruption can undermine taxpayers’ trust in the fairness of how public funds are allocated and tax procedures are carried out. While the relationship between corruption and tax system unfairness is largely unexplored, a significant body of knowledge covers these constructs in isolation. This study assesses the influence of corruption on Ugandan small and medium enterprises (SMEs’) perception of tax fairness. The authors use a thematic analysis on semi-structured interview data to assess the effects of corruption on tax fairness perceptions. The findings reveal four types of corruption: petty corruption, petty tax corruption, political corruption, and grand corruption. These have significant influence on income tax unfairness perceptions among SME firms. Tax and government officers as well as the political elite who demand bribes, embezzle taxpayers’ funds, and discriminate among taxpayers based on tribal sentiments incite taxpayers’ distributive and procedural tax unfairness perceptions. The results demonstrate that the government must strive to create an honest bureaucracy and tax administration to improve tax fairness perceptions. This can be done by allowing anti-corruption agencies to work professionally and independently of political influence.

Fairness perceptions and payoff allocation preferences in the online food order and delivery industry: Evidence from a real experiment

Amid concern about the welfare implications of the revenue share model between food service establishments (FSEs) and food delivery companies (FDCs), academic contributions have been mostly theoretical. Within a conceptual framework of fairness, our empirical study provides a perspective from the third party in the multi-sided market: the consumer. Following an incentivized payoff allocation experiment with 500 English food consumers, we make three observations: (1) participants prefer to make allocations to FSEs as opposed to FDCs, (2) participants who perceive fairness as a social construct (honesty, responsibility) derive the most disutility from advantageous inequality and the least disutility from disadvantageous inequality in relation to FSEs, and (3) participants who perceive fairness as a structural construct (processes, outcomes) prefer more equal payoff allocations to FSEs and FDCs. The perception of price unfairness in the online food order and delivery industry is apparent, speaking to the need to find market and policy solutions.

From code to coin: Unravelling the practical business impact of algorithmic pricing

This paper examines the impact of algorithmic pricing on company value and presents the results of 31 expert interviews in various industries. The focus is on nine hypotheses, including the efficiency of automation, segmentation and value-based pricing, efficient resource allocation, perception of fairness, price transparency and uncertainty, the use of personal data and price competition. The surveys show that algorithmic pricing has considerable potential for efficiency gains through automation, particularly in terms of revenue growth. The potential for cost savings, however, varies from sector to sector. Segmentation and value-based pricing are proving to be feasible, but their implementation requires clear justification and economic rationale. Efficient resource allocation through dynamic pricing shows potential, especially in industry-specific scenarios. The perception of unfairness can have a negative impact, however, and personalised pricing risks alienating customers and reducing business value. Price transparency and uncertainty have a mixed effect, as customers often place more value on the transparency of alternative offers than on the company’s pricing process. The use of personal data poses a low risk to company value if it is transparent and mutually beneficial. The potential intensification of competition through algorithmic pricing depends on the market structure and the company’s objectives; however, algorithmic pricing can be used as an instrument to reduce price competition and increase company value. Overall, the results make it clear that the integration of algorithmic pricing strategies must be carefully and ethically designed in order to sustainably increase company value.

Influence of Stakeholder Identities on Unfairness Perception of Local Residents toward Public Facilities: Neurocognition Evidence from the Case of Waste-to-Energy Projects in China

Influence of Stakeholder Identities on Unfairness Perception of Local Residents toward Public Facilities: Neurocognition Evidence from the Case of Waste-to-Energy Projects in China

The Consumer−E-retailer−Intermediary Triad: Why and When Unfairness Perceptions Undermine Ethicality and Consumer Repurchase Intention

While there is considerable research on consumers and e-retailers; the relationships between the consumers, e-retailers, and their intermediaries—the ecommerce platforms are underexplored. The current research focuses on this triad and examines why and when price unfairness and product unfairness influence consumers’ perception of ethics of the e-retailer and their spillover effects on consumer repurchase intention from the ecommerce platforms. We adopted a mixed-method approach and conducted two studies. The qualitative study performed a content analysis based on 349 real comments of online shoppers. The quantitative study collected data from 632 existing customers of actual ecommerce platforms. The results show negative relationships between unfairness and consumer responses in the context of online retailing. Moreover, perception of e-retailer ethics explains the impacts of price unfairness and product unfairness on consumer repurchase intention from the ecommerce platforms. Besides, the salience of ethicality on repurchase intention depends on the level of prior shopping experience, such that this effect is lessened when shopping experience increases. This research offers significant implications for different stakeholders including e-retailers, ecommerce platforms, policymakers, and consumers to stimulate consumers’ perception of e-retailer ethics and repurchase intention from the ecommerce platforms.

Price transparency in international retailing on digital platforms

PurposeIn the digital era, price transparency—the practice of disclosing cost breakdowns in product manufacturing—has become present on digital platforms. Although its benefits are well-documented and consumers should theoretically desire costless and relevant information for informed decision-making, this paper proposes that consumers may resist overly transparent pricing, particularly when it pertains to premium-priced (vs regular-priced) products from countries with high equity.Design/methodology/approachOur research comprises three experimental studies utilizing both student and representative online Prolific samples, covering various products and countries with different equity levels. Initially, a pilot study identifies an interpersonal should-want conflict induced by price transparency when purchasing premium-priced products, leading to information avoidance. Subsequent studies further explore this phenomenon by examining the moderating role of country equity and the mediating role of price unfairness perceptions.FindingsPrice transparency can backfire when purchasing premium-priced products due to the want-should conflict among consumers—the desire to receive disclosure of cost breakdowns versus the inclination not to view it. This conflict results in increased resistance to receiving transparent price information and decreased brand attitudes and purchase intentions, especially for products originating from high-equity countries. Heightened perceptions of price unfairness explain these dynamics.Research limitations/implicationsThe study primarily relies on experimental designs with limited sample sizes. To enhance the generalizability of the findings, incorporating large-scale real market data across diverse domains and countries would be beneficial.Originality/valueGrounded in the should-want conflict and information avoidance theories, this paper uniquely explores the adverse effects of price transparency on digital platforms. We extend this by demonstrating that this conflict is influenced by country equity, where the perceived value added by the association of a product with a given country name affects whether consumers experience the conflict. Our investigation of perceived price unfairness further deepens our understanding of the nuanced effects of price transparency.

Perceived Unfairness in University Settings: Findings from a Qualitative Study among Students in Germany

In universities, perceived unfairness is associated with negative outcomes, such as dissatisfaction, lower engagement, higher drop-out and stress, and poorer mental health. It is, however, still unclear which aspects constitute perceived unfairness in students. Therefore, this qualitative study explored students’ perceptions of unfairness with twenty semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed following Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. A set of main codes and subcodes was developed and refined. The identified sources of unfairness can be summarized as organizational aspects, such as the registration and administration processes, the treatment of students, including the behavioural patterns of lecturers and university staff, and the individual situation of students. This study identified different sources of perceived unfairness in the university setting, potentially related to less engagement, higher drop-out rates, and worse mental health of the students. To keep students engaged and healthy, it seems beneficial to address the sources of unfairness.

Same Same or Different? Pay Referents and Unfairness Perceptions in Two Employment Arrangements

Which reference information do nurses select to evaluate pay and does their employment arrangement matter? To answer these questions, we investigated the role of three types of reference information (perceived responsibility, social appreciation from colleagues and patients) in pay unfairness evaluations of Swiss temporary and staff nurses. Since unfair pay signals a lack of worth, we examined the role of social appreciation from the two sources as boundary condition for the effects of pay unfairness on exhaustion and job satisfaction. We analyzed our time-lagged survey data from 262 staff nurses and 120 temporary nurses using a multi-group framework. The effect of pay unfairness on job satisfaction – but not on exhaustion – was stronger in temporary nurses than in staff nurses. Contrary to our hypotheses, we did not find evidence that social appreciation from colleagues or patients moderated the effects of pay unfairness on job satisfaction and exhaustion. Follow-up analyses showed, however, that staff nurses rely on perceived responsibility and colleagues’ appreciation to gauge pay unfairness. Temporary nurses, in contrast, considered social appreciation on the output side, consistently for both sources of appreciation. This pattern of findings suggests that the comparison processes underlying fairness evaluations are not uniform across different employment arrangements. From a practical perspective, the findings imply that appreciation will not do as compensation for pay staff nurses perceive as unfair.

Upper secondary school students’ perspectives on un/fairness in group work assessment

ABSTRACT Students’ perspectives of un/fairness in group work assessment are known to be related to the issues of varied contributions in group work and how to discern each student’s contribution or knowledge from the group’s joint work. Students’ perceptions of un/fairness in group work assessment are important since it relates to their motivation. This study aims to investigate upper secondary students’ perspectives on un/fairness in group work assessment. In the study, 129 upper secondary school students in Sweden between the ages of 15 and 16 years participated. The students were interviewed in 33 focus groups. The interviews were thematically analysed. The study’s findings illustrate how ambition, motivation and friendship relations in groups may vary and cause what students perceive as unfairness. Varied ambitions and motivations among group members also appear to breed situations where group members’ contributions to group work may vary, which also is perceived by students as unfair. Other factors that can contribute to a perception of unfairness are when knowledge levels vary among group members or friendship relations. How un/fairness is perceived also depends on the level at which the assessment is implemented, group or individual level. The greatest experience of unfairness is generated by implementing group assessment.

Effects of gifting on relationship performance: Strategies for avoiding suspicion and unfairness perceptions

Effects of gifting on relationship performance: Strategies for avoiding suspicion and unfairness perceptions

EXPLORING THE ESSENCE OF INDONESIAN SECURITIES-BASED CROWDFUNDING

In Indonesia, crowdfunding is widely acknowledged as a collaborative financing method, enabling businesses, projects, or initiatives to raise funds through community engagement on online platforms. This collective funding strategy serves a variety of purposes, including support for humanitarian causes, education, business ventures, political campaigns, public infrastructure, and innovative endeavors. Crowdfunding has risen to prominence as a vital financial tool for entrepreneurs in search of capital, leading to significant expansion in this funding model. The regulatory framework in Indonesia has undergone evolution, transitioning from Equity Crowdfunding to Securities Crowdfunding (SCF). SCF stands out as a remarkable alternative to conventional non-bank funding, offering manifold advantages for business development by encouraging creativity and innovation. Despite its beneficial impact, regulatory challenges remain, particularly in implementing rules consistently across diverse business entities involved in crowdfunding, regardless of their profit or non-profit objectives. This study seeks to illuminate critical areas that warrant careful consideration by the Indonesian government in the domain of crowdfunding regulation. While current regulations are predominantly centered on securities crowdfunding, there are still uncertainties concerning the foundational principles and aims of crowdfunding. This situation poses a pivotal question: What trajectory does the Indonesian government envision for crowdfunding activities — a focus on profit generation or a dedication to non-profit pursuits? This highlights the pressing necessity for a thorough review and detailed examination of the existing regulations, aiming to establish guidelines that protect the interests of all stakeholders, thereby averting any perception of unfairness or exploitation.

The quality of government conditions political disagreement over redistributive policies

ABSTRACT This study argues that the quality of government structures the divide of public opinion on redistribution within countries. Countries with higher government quality have both the capacity and impartiality required to implement effective and fair redistribution. In effect, material self-interest and fairness-based evaluations should become better predictors of policy preferences in countries with higher government quality. An empirical analysis of survey data from 40 institutionally diverse countries supports this theory. Interaction regression models show that the government quality moderates the effects of income and unfairness perceptions on redistribution preferences. Both preference drivers are more strongly associated with redistribution support in countries with higher government quality. Preferences thereby become more heterogeneous in higher-quality settings. The results offer micro-level support for the theory that government quality structures politics and policies via the public opinion channel. To the extent that public opinion influences political behavior and policymaking, higher government quality should induce a stronger economic left-right divide over these political phenomena.

EXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) for facilitating recognition of algorithmic bias: An experiment from imposed users’ perspectives

This study explored the potential of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in raising user awareness of algorithmic bias. This study examined the popular “explanation by example” XAI approach, where users receive explanatory examples resembling their input. As this XAI approach allows users to gauge the congruence between these examples and their circumstances, perceived incongruence then evokes perceptions of unfairness and exclusion, prompting users not to put blind trust in the system and raising awareness of algorithmic bias stemming from non-inclusive datasets. The results further highlight the moderating role of users’ prior experience with discrimination.

Is uniform pricing by competing retailers perceived as fair?

AbstractDespite the enormous negative economic influence on consumer well‐being, price‐fixing remains a largely unexplored area in consumer research. Previous research showed that consumers perceive different prices for the same product as unfair. However, our findings counterintuitively indicate that consumers may also perceive uniform prices as unfair. Two experimental studies examined the effect of price uniformity (uniform/nonuniform) and price patterns over time (increase/no change) on the perception of price unfairness and third‐party complaint intention. The findings show that consumers perceive prices as unfair when retailers increase a uniform price simultaneously. This pricing strategy by retailers increases consumers' intention to report suspected price‐fixing activities to authorities, that is, third‐party reporting. Based on the findings, implications for marketing practices and tactics to enhance public policy are discussed.

Fuel for revolt – moral arguments as delegitimation practices in Swedish fuel protests

ABSTRACT This article examines the role of moral arguments in the delegitimation of transition policies. Previous research has highlighted attitudes and arguments that explain resistance against transition policies, including perceptions of unfairness; inefficiency and effectiveness; lack of trust; and ideology. This article provides further understanding of resistance to climate policies by zooming in on how social movements implicitly and explicitly use moral arguments to delegitimise low-carbon transition policies. Through a qualitative interview study with members of a Swedish social media movement against low-carbon transport policies, we analyse central arguments against policies; how moral considerations figure in them; and how these strengthen argumentative delegitimation practices against transition policies in the transport sector. We show how moral arguments serve to legitimise protests both by instilling an urgency in the cause and generalising the demands to delegitimise mainstream transition policies, and suggest that recognition of this may contribute to both better analysis and policies.

Co-workers’ perceptions of the distributive justice of idiosyncratic deals – the roles of content, timing, and justice sensitivity

Research to date creates a predominantly positive image of idiosyncratic deals (i-deals). However, since i-deals lead to differences in employment relationships, they can trigger perceptions of unfairness and negative reactions among co-workers, thereby posing a threat to the overall effectiveness of i-deals. Against this background, it is important to gain more insights into how co-workers’ perceptions of distributive justice are shaped. Building on distributive justice theory and integrating distributive justice principles with the roles of emotions and personality, this study investigates three factors that are likely to influence co-workers’ perceptions of the distributive justice of an i-deal: the i-deal’s content, the negotiation’s timing, and co-workers’ justice sensitivity. The results of the vignette-based, between-subjects quasi-experimental study with 650 employees show that these three factors influence co-workers’ perceptions of an i-deal’s distributive justice. In addition, the results of the study reveal interaction effects between the factors under investigation. By examining what influences co-workers’ perceptions of distributive justice, this study contributes to a better understanding of i-deals from a third-party perspective and highlights that some types of i-deals, in terms of content and timing, should be approached with particular caution by supervisors.

The impact of work-related ICT use on perceived injustice: Exploring the effects of work role overload and psychological detachment

Multiple studies have provided evidence that the hospitality and tourism sector is experiencing a growing reliance on information and communication technology (ICT). Consequently, employees in this industry are facing an escalating expectation to stay connected and address work-related communication even outside their regular working hours. Little is known about how using ICTs during off-job can raise employee unfairness perceptions and job overload and how managers can control this. The primary focus of the current study is to examine the association between work-related ICT use after hours and employees' perceived injustice and the mediating role of work-role overload and the moderating role of psychological detachment in this relationship within the hospitality and tourism industry. By convenient sampling method, 400 employee responses were collected. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the "Partial least squares (PLS)" technique, employing SmartPLS-4 software. The empirical findings demonstrate a positive association between work-related ICT use after hours and employees' perceived injustice (EPI) and work role overload (WRO). Similarly, the mediating role of work-role overload and the moderating role of psychological detachment were supported. The study concludes by providing theoretical and practical implications and discusses how these findings can be applied within the tourism and hospitality industry.

Combating climate change through the welfare state: can social insurance boost support for carbon taxes in Europe?

ABSTRACT Carbon taxes are an effective tool to reduce carbon emissions but their use is hampered by a lack of public support. We develop the theoretical argument that social insurance programmes may be designed to mitigate perceptions of economic risk and unfairness, and thereby increase public acceptance of carbon taxes. Employing a novel combination of cross-sectional data, we test whether and how the coverage, replacement rates, and duration of three social insurance programmes relate to support for carbon taxes in 20 European countries. The results reveal that coverage correlates significantly with support for carbon taxes, while replacement rates and the duration of social insurance exhibit no such association individually. However, a combination of broad coverage and high replacement rates is linked to greater support for carbon taxes than broad coverage alone. The relationship between social protection and carbon tax support is furthermore equally strong among economically vulnerable and other groups.