equityperceived
Equityperceived is a coined term that denotes the degree to which participants in an organization or policy believe that the allocation of equity—such as stock, ownership stakes, or voting rights—is fair. The concept sits at the intersection of finance, organizational behavior, and governance, distinguishing actual equity ownership from individuals' subjective assessment of fairness. Equityperceived can influence motivation, trust, retention, and engagement, sometimes even more than the objective share distribution.
Measurement and assessment: researchers and practitioners assess equityperceived using survey instruments and qualitative interviews that probe
Applications: in startups, equityperceived informs compensation design, founder-to-employee equity splits, and communication around exits and dilutions.
Criticisms: the concept is inherently subjective and culturally contingent; discrepancies between perceived and actual equity can