Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000.

Equity theory is a concept of motivation, which assumes that an employee’s motivation and job satisfaction are driven by fair and equal distribution of resources because workers tend to compare themselves with others who are working under similar conditions and in an equivalent environment with equal outputs and inputs. A lawyer earning $200000 per year can be dissatisfied with his or her job, whereas a bus driver earning $65000 is satisfied. One of the possible reasons can be rooted in the fact that colleagues of the lawyer might be earning $250000 for a similar amount of work, but the bus driver’s colleagues are all earning $65000 for equivalent input.

In other words, the former case has an element of dissatisfaction because there is a sense of perceived unfairness and inequality, but the latter case has high levels of equity. Therefore, the bus driver is more satisfied with his or her job, even though the annual income is substantially higher than the lawyer’s one. It is evident that the comparative aspect of work-related inputs and outputs plays a central role in determining whether an employee will be satisfied or dissatisfied with the job and job-related components, such as salary.

Answer by Academic.tip's expert
An answer to this question is provided by one of our experts who specializes in management. Let us know how much you liked it and give it a rating.

Cite this page

Select a citation style:

References

Academic.Tips. (2022) 'Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000'. 28 October.

Reference

Academic.Tips. (2022, October 28). Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000. https://academic.tips/question/define-and-explain-the-concept-known-as-equity-theory-also-use-equity-theory-to-explain-the-following-scenario-a-lawyer-earns-200-000-per-year-but-they-may-still-be-more-dissatis/

References

Academic.Tips. 2022. "Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000." October 28, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/define-and-explain-the-concept-known-as-equity-theory-also-use-equity-theory-to-explain-the-following-scenario-a-lawyer-earns-200-000-per-year-but-they-may-still-be-more-dissatis/.

1. Academic.Tips. "Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000." October 28, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/define-and-explain-the-concept-known-as-equity-theory-also-use-equity-theory-to-explain-the-following-scenario-a-lawyer-earns-200-000-per-year-but-they-may-still-be-more-dissatis/.


Bibliography


Academic.Tips. "Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000." October 28, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/define-and-explain-the-concept-known-as-equity-theory-also-use-equity-theory-to-explain-the-following-scenario-a-lawyer-earns-200-000-per-year-but-they-may-still-be-more-dissatis/.

Work Cited

"Define and explain the concept known as “equity theory.” Also, use equity theory to explain the following scenario: A lawyer earns $200 000 per year but they may still be more dissatisfied with their job than a bus driver who earns $65 000." Academic.Tips, 28 Oct. 2022, academic.tips/question/define-and-explain-the-concept-known-as-equity-theory-also-use-equity-theory-to-explain-the-following-scenario-a-lawyer-earns-200-000-per-year-but-they-may-still-be-more-dissatis/.

Copy