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Consumer Racial Discrimination in Tipping: A Replication and Extension
Author(s) -
Lynn Michael,
Sturman Michael,
Ganley Christie,
Adams Elizabeth,
Douglas Mathew,
McNeil Jessica
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00338.x
Subject(s) - race (biology) , service quality , perception , service (business) , psychology , quality (philosophy) , service provider , business , social psychology , advertising , marketing , sociology , gender studies , philosophy , epistemology , neuroscience
This study examined the effects of server race, customer race, and their interaction on restaurant tips while statistically controlling for customers' perceptions of service quality and other variables. The findings indicate that consumers of both races discriminated against Black service providers by tipping them less than White service providers. Furthermore, this server race effect on tipping was moderated by perceived service quality and dining party size. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. Particularly noteworthy is the possibility that the server race effect on tipping represents an adverse impact against Black servers that makes the use of tipping to compensate employees a violation of employment discrimination law in the United States.