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The Legitimacy of Inequality: Integrating the Perspectives of System Justification and Social Judgment

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  • Patrick Haack
  • Jost Sieweke

Abstract

To explain the legitimation of inequality among the members of a social system, we blend system justification theory and the theory of social judgment. We identify adaptation and replacement as two major mechanisms of inequality legitimation and examine their influence in the unique setting of a natural experiment, the reunification of socialist East Germany and capitalist West Germany. We show that the new members of a society in which inequality is broadly endorsed and perceived as enduring will adapt to this perception and come to view inequality as acceptable. This process of adaptation reflects the subtle but powerful influence of collective legitimacy on an individual's tacit approval of inequality. Inequality also becomes legitimate as older cohorts are replaced by younger cohorts; however, this effect is weaker than the effect of adaptation. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating that developing and testing a theory of how inequality becomes legitimized can provide new insights into the ideational antecedents of inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Haack & Jost Sieweke, 2018. "The Legitimacy of Inequality: Integrating the Perspectives of System Justification and Social Judgment," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(3), pages 486-516, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:55:y:2018:i:3:p:486-516
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12323
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    Cited by:

    1. Summerville, Karoline M. & Chen, Victor Zitian & Shoham, Amir & Taras, Vasyl, 2024. "Speaking of diversity: Can linguistic structural differences explain cultural values toward equity, diversity, and inclusion across the globe?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(1).
    2. Hari Bapuji & Snehanjali Chrispal, 2020. "Understanding Economic Inequality Through the Lens of Caste," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 533-551, March.
    3. Sonia S. Siraz & Björn Claes & Julio O. De Castro & Eero Vaara, 2023. "Theorizing the Grey Area between Legitimacy and Illegitimacy," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 924-962, June.
    4. Jianhong Zhang & David L. Deephouse & Désirée van Gorp & Haico Ebbers, 2022. "Individuals’ Perceptions of the Legitimacy of Emerging Market Multinationals: Ethical Foundations and Construct Validation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 801-825, April.
    5. Alexander C. Lewis & Arkangel M. Cordero & Rachael Xiong, 2021. "Too Red for Crowdfunding: The Legitimation and Adoption of Crowdfunding Across Political Cultures," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(3), pages 471-504, May.
    6. Kamal A. Munir, 2021. "Inequality in the Time of Corona Virus," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 607-610, March.
    7. Jasinenko, Anna & Christandl, Fabian & Meynhardt, Timo, 2020. "Justified by ideology: Why conservatives care less about corporate social irresponsibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 290-303.
    8. Riccardo Rodella & Maria Rosa De Giacomo, 2023. "How do financial markets reward companies tackling climate change concerns? A natural experiment based on the Brexit referendum," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 979-990, March.
    9. Gro Kvåle & Zuzana Murdoch, 2022. "Shame On You! Unpacking the Individual and Organizational Implications of Engaging with a Stigmatized Organization," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(8), pages 2024-2066, December.
    10. Nancy DiTomaso, 2021. "Why Difference Makes a Difference: Diversity, Inequality, and Institutionalization," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(8), pages 2024-2051, December.
    11. Sabrina Tanquerel & Marc Grau-Grau, 2020. "Unmasking work-family balance barriers and strategies among working fathers in the workplace," Post-Print hal-02945399, HAL.
    12. Patrick Haack & Oliver Schilke & Lynne Zucker, 2021. "Legitimacy Revisited: Disentangling Propriety, Validity, and Consensus," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 749-781, May.
    13. Corinne Post & Daniel Muzio & Riikka Sarala & Liqun Wei & Dries Faems, 2021. "Theorizing Diversity in Management Studies: New Perspectives and Future Directions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(8), pages 2003-2023, December.
    14. Francisco Díez-Martín & Alicia Blanco-González & Camilo Prado-Román, 2021. "The intellectual structure of organizational legitimacy research: a co-citation analysis in business journals," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1007-1043, May.
    15. Ali Alamdar Moghaddam & Hamid Mirzahossein & Robert Guzik, 2022. "Comparing Inequality in Future Urban Transport Modes by Doughnut Economy Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-24, November.
    16. Nite, Calvin & Nauright, John, 2020. "Examining institutional work that perpetuates abuse in sport organizations," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 117-129.
    17. Christopher Wickert & Corinne Post & Jonathan P. Doh & John E. Prescott & Andrea Prencipe, 2021. "Management Research that Makes a Difference: Broadening the Meaning of Impact," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 297-320, March.

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