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Fairness and the labour market; A theoretical and empirical analysis of layoffs in Germany

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  • Pfeifer, Christian

Abstract

In recent years layoffs have increasingly become the focus of public attention. So far, however, there has been no representative study for Germany of how far and under what conditions layoffs are accepted by the population - in other words by people who are not immediately affected. Principles of distributive justice, rules of procedural justice, attribution theory, and psychological contract theory form the framework of the analysis. On this basis, hypotheses are generated, which are tested empirically in a telephone survey conducted among East and West Germans in 2004 (n=3039).

Suggested Citation

  • Pfeifer, Christian, 2005. "Fairness and the labour market; A theoretical and empirical analysis of layoffs in Germany," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-328, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    • Handle: RePEc:han:dpaper:dp-328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Pfeifer, 2007. "The Perceived Fairness of Layoffs in Germany: Participation, Compensation, or Avoidance?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 25-36, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    distributive justice; downsizing; fairness; layoffs; procedural justice;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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