Rational Techniques as Myth-Based Rituals: The Role of Reflective Practitioners in Remunerative Justice

Abstract

Remunerative justice in public organizations remains elusive, largely because public administrators employ rational techniques in human resource management. Rational techniques include job evaluations, salary surveys, position classifications, and merit pay determinations. When they are employed to address wicked salary-assignment problems, such rational techniques are elevated to the status of myth-based rituals. Reflective practitioners can become aware of alternatives to myths by understanding the context of rational techniques, the advantages to invoking myth when making salary assignments, and the problems with using rational techniques. A thorough reevaluation of rational techniques allows reflective practitioners to apply holistic approaches, critical theory knowledge, and qualitative methods to overcoming remuneration challenges and, in so doing, promote fair salary assignments. Public administrators have a responsibility to understand myth-based rituals as they seek remunerative justice.