Distributive justice evaluations in two cultural contexts: A comparison ofUS and South Korean teachers

The justice literature suggests, but has not tested, a positive relationshi p between met expectations about multiple workplace rewards and distributiv e justice evaluations (the individual's assessment of whether s/he has been treated fairly). Data from samples of teachers in South Korea (N = 649) an d the U.S. (N = 810) are used to examine this relationship. In addition, U. S.-South Korea cultural value differences in individualism, seniority, and hierarchical authority are the basis for hypothesizing that certain reward- specific met expectations will be linked differently to justice evaluations across the two societies. As hypothesized for both societies, the more one 's expectations about job-related rewards are met, the greater the percepti on of just treatment. Also as hypothesized, several societal differences ba sed on cultural differences are found. Met expectations about autonomy are more important in explaining justice evaluations in the U.S., whereas met e xpectations about advancement opportunities are more important in South Kor ea.