Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the methods of decision on reward allocation (group vs. individual decision) and the inputs on the perceived fairness of reward allocation by the allocator, and also the effects of the expectation of maintaining the allocator-recipients relationship on the perceived fairness were examined. Hypothesis 1 was that the perceived fairness would be higher in the group decision condition than in the individual decision condition. Hypothesis 2 was that the perceived fairness would be higher when the difference of recipients' performances arose from the differing efforts than when it did the differing abilities. Hypothesis 3 was that the reduction of perceived fairness when the difference of recipients' performances arose the differing abilities be smaller in the group decision than in the individual decision. Hypothesis 4 was that the perceived fairness would be higher when the future relationship was expected than when it was not. Hypothesis 5 was made regarding the interaction of the method of decision and the expectation for the future relationships. The results supported hypotheses 1 and 2. The results indicated that that the methods of decision influenced the perceived fairness, and also that the allocator perceived allocations based on the differing effort and performance as fairer than those based on the differing ability.
