L. Larwood, ATTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF EQUAL-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - THEORY DEVELOPMENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF EEO POLICY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICE, Group & organization management, 20(4), 1995, pp. 391-408
The Americans With Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts extend equal e
mployment opportunity to categories that include those of individuals
with seemingly self-inflicted and voluntary disabilities. This article
applies attribution theory to examine a number of theoretical and pra
ctical issues, which indicate that inclusion of self-selected or achie
ved role groups may result in a compliance backlash harmful to equal e
mployment opportunity. A pilot study supports the conclusion that indi
viduals seen as causing their own problems are viewed as less desirabl
e employees. The article suggests need for caution in extending EEO co
verage and offers guides for program success. Implications are also di
scussed for development of a managerially-based social contract theory
.