Organizational Justice in Healthcare Institutions: Exploring Staff Experiences and Their Relations to Job Satisfaction via Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

This study examined the concept of organizational justice within healthcare institutions, focusing on how perceptions of fairness influence job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. Using a qualitative phenomenological framework, the research conceptually explored how nurses, physicians, allied health workers, and administrators experience fairness in relation to distributive, procedural, and interactional dimensions. The findings revealed that organizational justice serves as a foundational determinant of job satisfaction, shaping motivation, emotional well-being, and professional commitment. Among the dimensions, interactional justice defined by respect, empathy, and transparent communication emerged as the most influential in promoting satisfaction and reducing workplace tension. Distributive justice, which concerns fair allocation of workload, compensation, and recognition, also played a critical role in staff morale and retention. Meanwhile, procedural justice the fairness of decision-making processes was closely linked to empowerment and trust in leadership. The study also emphasized that organizational culture functions as a reinforcing mechanism, where teamwork, shared purpose, and mutual trust enhance perceptions of fairness. The theoretical model developed demonstrates that fair treatment and equitable structures contribute not only to individual satisfaction but also to institutional stability and quality of care. These findings underscore the importance of integrating fairness principles into management practices, policy frameworks, and interpersonal communication strategies across healthcare organizations. By aligning ethical integrity with organizational efficiency, healthcare leaders can cultivate environments that support staff well-being, foster loyalty, and improve patient outcomes. The study concludes that organizational justice is not a peripheral concern but a vital component of sustainable healthcare management.