Gainsharing and the Law of Effect as the Matching Law:

Abstract

Absence of a theoretical framework for guiding research concerning the design and evaluation of gainsharing programs has been recognized as a problem. Two recent vcrsions of the law of effect are reviewed, a molecular version and a molar version. Their implications for the prediction and control of gainsharing program adoption and effectiveness are discussed. Specifically, the two versions of the law of effect indicate that the relative effectiveness of a gainsharing programs (and their adoption rates) depend critically upon the following: (a) actual (and projected) monetary rewards received, (b) immediacy of social reinforcements versus delayed monetary reinforcements, and (c) social norms (group rules of conduct) associated with the programs.