ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE AS RESILIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE: A MIXED-METHOD STUDY OF HUMANITARIAN NGOs IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Humanitarian organizations in Northeast Nigeria confront persistent crises threatening operational continuity and legitimacy. Using a mixed-method design combining structural equation modeling of survey data (N = 300) with semi-structured interviews (N = 30), we investigate how organizational justice functions as resilience infrastructure—systems of fairness that stabilize coordination, sustain trust, and activate psychological resources during crises. Survey data from 300 staff across three NGOs (ActionAid Nigeria, Mercy Corps Nigeria, IRC Nigeria) revealed organizational justice significantly predicts trust in leadership (β = .64, p < .001), which mediates its effect on psychological capital (indirect effect = .30). Psychological capital predicts adaptive performance (β = .52, p < .001), which predicts organizational resilience (β = .58, p < .001). Crisis intensity moderates the justice–trust relationship (β = .18, p < .01). Thirty qualitative interviews confirmed transparent procedures, respectful communication, and leadership integrity reinforce trust and activate psychological resources. The study advances resilience theory by positioning justice as relational infrastructure and offers guidance for NGOs building resilience through fairness systems. In conclusion, it is observed that justice perceptions cascade through trust and
psychological capital to enable adaptive performance and organizational resilience, with crisis intensity amplifying the importance of fairness. This study makes three contributions. First, we introduce and validate the concept of resilience infrastructure, shifting attention from structural capabilities to the relational and psychological foundations of organizational resilience. Second, we demonstrate a micro-to-macro pathway linking individual justice perceptions to organizational resilience outcomes, addressing calls for multi-level resilience research. Third, we contextualize these relationships in humanitarian NGOs operating in conflict-affected Northeast Nigeria, revealing how extreme conditions amplify the importance of fairness systems and offering practical guidance for organizations seeking to build resilience through justice.