Cremer, Lorenz Reinold (2025) When Algorithmic Managers Break Promises: The Moderating Role of Anthropomorphism in Justice Perceptions. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
![[img]](https://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
Masters-Thesis-Lorenz-Reinold-Cremer-s4370236.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (864kB) |
Abstract
The integration of algorithmic managers (AMs) into the workforce is rapidly accelerating, prompting research into their potential impact on workplace functioning. This study examines the relationship between the nonfulfillment of relational promises (RPs; e.g. providing support to employees) versus transactional promises (TPs; e.g. paying bonuses) and organizational justice (distributive, procedural, interactional). Building on anthropomorphism theory, we also investigate how this relationship is moderated by the AM’s level of anthropomorphism (i.e., AMs having anthropomorphic characteristics or not). We hypothesised that (1) when TPs rather than RPs are nonfulfilled, employees perceive lower organisational justice (distributive, procedural, interactional) and (2) that this relationship would be stronger when AMs are low in anthropomorphism. These hypotheses were tested across two vignette experiments using a 2 (type of nonfulfilled promises: TPs vs. RPs) × 2 (anthropomorphism of AMs: high vs. low) between-subjects design (Study 1: N = 258; Study 2: N = 248). Study 1 found that when AMs were low in anthropomorphism (compared to high), the nonfulfillment of TPs rather than RPs, was negatively related to perceptions of distributive justice. This suggests that employees’ perception of AMs as a perfect mechanical system may be linked to a low tolerance for errors when it comes to TPs, which are highly consistent with the perceived strengths of such systems. The results for procedural and interactional justice were nonsignificant. Study 2, using different manipulations for nonfulfillment of promises, did not find support for any hypothesis. Implications for employees’ justice perceptions and the broader integration of AMs are discussed.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Fousiani, K. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route: | Understanding Societal Change [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jul 2025 09:16 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Jul 2025 09:16 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5399 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |