Unveiling the paradox of organizational justice: an integrative categorization bridging economic and deontic perspectives

This research aims to explore the common theoretical perspectives in organizational justice. The need for such research arises from the lack of literature that comprehensively understands and highlights the theoretical distinctions between two approaches: one that views organizational justice as an explanatory factor for the economic value of firms, suggesting that fair practices lead to better performance and profitability, and a second approach that emphasizes the virtuous and deontic dimensions of justice, valuing ethical considerations and moral principles regardless of the economic outcomes of organizational justice. To address this gap, we aim to discuss and categorize the “economic case for organizational justice” and the “deontic/philosophical case for organizational justice” in a comprehensive manner. Subsequently, we propose an integrative model that combines both the economic and deontic perspectives of organizational justice, which are often portrayed as opposing in the literature. Additionally, to enhance the practical relevance of our framework, we will integrate a case study that applies the model within an organizational context, demonstrating its value and potential for real-world management practices. Through this conceptual contribution, we emphasize the importance of being mindful of the research direction, ultimately enriching the literature on organizational justice.