Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T18:48:26.507Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Policing Nepotism and Cronyism Without Losing the Value of Social Connection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2015

Robert G. Jones*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Missouri State University.
Tracy Stout
Affiliation:
Department of Library Science, Missouri State University.
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Robert G. Jones, Department of Psychology, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65897. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Antinepotism policies are common in work organizations. Although cronyism appears to be commonplace as well, official policing of cronyism is less common. We argue that social connections in some crony relationships and apparently nepotic ones may add considerable value to organizations. We also argue that policing of nepotic relationships can be a form of unfair discrimination when the perception of inequity, rather than its reality, is being policed. Finally we consider effective approaches that simultaneously preserve the value of social connection, avoid the actual ethical breaches associated with some social connections, and avoid any unfair discrimination on the basis of group memberships (in this case, family and friends).

Type
Focal Article
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, T. J., Sherman, J. W., Conrey, F. R., & Stroessner, S. J. (2009). Stereotype strength and attentional bias: Preference for confirming versus disconfirming information depends on processing capacity. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 10811087. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.06.002Google Scholar
Andrews, R. (2010). Organizational social capital, structure and performance. Human Relations, 63, 583608. doi:10.1177/0018726709342931CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Arasli, H., & Tumer, M. (2008). Nepotism, favoritism and cronyism: A study of their effects on job stress and job satisfaction in the banking industry of north Cyprus. Social Behavior and Personality, 36, 12371250.Google Scholar
Becker, T. (2012). Nepotism and commitment of relevant parties. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in organizations (pp. 93128). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Bellow, A. (2003). In praise of nepotism: A natural history. New York, NY: Doubleday.Google Scholar
Bonnefond, A., Muzet, A., Winter-Dill, A., Bailloeuil, C., Bitouze, F., & Bonneau, A. (2001). Innovative working schedule: Introducing one short nap during the night shift. Ergonomics, 44, 937945. doi:10.1080/00140130110061138Google Scholar
Colarelli, S. M. (2003). No best way: An evolutionary perspective on human resource management. Westport, CT: Praeger/Greenwood.Google Scholar
Crawford, R. B. (1961). Eunuch power in the Ming dynasty. T’oung Pao: Second Series, 49, 115148.Google Scholar
Davy, J., & Göbel, M. (2013). The effects of a self-selected nap opportunity on the psychophysiological, performance and subjective measures during a simulated industrial night shift regimen. Ergonomics, 56 (2), 220234. doi:10.1080/00140139.2012.751459CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dickson, M. W., Nieminen, L. G., & Biermeier-Hanson, B. J. (2012). Nepotism and organizational homogeneity: How the ASA process is accelerated by nonmerit-based decision making. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in organizations (pp. 93128). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Driskell, J. E., & Mullen, B. (2005). The efficacy of naps as a fatigue countermeasure: A meta-analytic integration. Human Factors, 47, 360377. doi:10.1518/0018720054679498Google Scholar
Guay, F., Senécal, C., Gauthier, L., & Fernet, C. (2003). Predicting career indecision: A self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50 (2), 165177.Google Scholar
Gutman, A. (2012). Nepotism and employment law. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in organizations (pp. 1141). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Hayashi, M., Chikazawa, Y., & Hori, T. (2004). Short nap versus short rest: Recuperative effects during VDT work. Ergonomics, 47, 15491560. doi:10.1080/00140130412331293346CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jones, R. G. (2012). Defining a psychology of nepotism. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in organizations (pp. 253267). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Jones, R. G., Stout, T., Harder, B., Levine, E., Levine, J., & Sanchez, J. I. (2008). Personnel psychology and nepotism: Should we support anti-nepotism policies? The Industrial–Organizational Psychologist, 45 (3), 1720.Google Scholar
Khatri, N., & Tsang, E. W. K. (2003). Antecedents and consequences of cronyism in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 43, 289303.Google Scholar
Konstantinou, E., & Fincham, R. (2011). Not sharing but trading: Applying a Maussian exchange framework to knowledge management. Human Relations, 64, 823842. doi:10.1177/0018726710388676Google Scholar
Laband, D. N., & Lentz, B. F. (1992). Self-recruitment in the legal profession. Journal of Labor Economics, 10, 182201.Google Scholar
Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79122. doi:10.1006/jvbe.1994.1027CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lentz, B. F., & Laband, D. N. (1988). Why so many children of doctors become doctors: Nepotism vs. human capital transfers. Journal of Human Resources, 24, 396413.Google Scholar
Luo, Y., Huang, Y., & Wang, S. (2012). Guanxi and organizational performance: A meta-analysis. Management and Organization Review, 8, 139172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mead, R. (2007, June). Benefits dept.: Lights-out. The New Yorker, 83 (17), 38.Google Scholar
Menzies, G. (2004). 1421: The year China discovered the world. London, UK: Transworld.Google Scholar
Morley, M. J., & Cerdin, J. (2010). Intercultural competence in the international business arena. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 25, 805809. doi:10.1108/02683941011089099Google Scholar
Muchinsky, P. M. (2012). The nepotistic organization: What is this place and how do the people make it? In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in organizations (pp. 4366). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
Mulder, B. (2012). A Model of Organizational Nepotism. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in Organizations (pp. 219251). New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Mutlu, K. (2000). Problems of nepotism and favouritism in the police organization in Turkey. International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 23, 381389. doi:10.1108/13639510010343056Google Scholar
Noe, R. A., & Tews, M. J. (2012). Realigning training and development research to contribute to the psychology of competitive advantage. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, 5, 101104. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-9434.2011.01412.xGoogle Scholar
Phillips, R. (2003). Stakeholder Theory and Organizational Ethics. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler.Google Scholar
Reiche, B. (2012). Knowledge benefits of social capital upon repatriation: A longitudinal study of international assignees. Journal of Management Studies, 49, 10521077. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2012.01050.xGoogle Scholar
Simon, R. J., Clark, S. M., & Tifft, L. L. (1966). Of nepotism, marriage, and the pursuit of an academic career. Sociology of Education, 39, 344358.Google Scholar
Snyder, M., Campbell, B. H., & Preston, E. (1982). Testing hypotheses about human nature: Assessing the accuracy of social stereotypes. Social Cognition, 1, 256272. doi:10.1521/soco.1982.1.3.256CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spranger, J. L., Colarelli, S. M., Dimotakis, N., Jacob, A. C., & Arvey, R. D. (2012). Effects of kin density within family-owned businesses. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 119, 151162. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2012.07.001Google Scholar
Thorne v. City of El Segundo, 726 F.2d 459 (9th Cir. 1983).Google Scholar
Van Hooft, E. & Stout, T. (2012). Nepotism and Career Choice, Job Search, and Job Choice. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in Organizations (pp. 6791). New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Walton, G. M., Cohen, G. L., Cwir, D., & Spencer, S. J. (2012). Mere belonging: The power of social connections. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 513532. doi:10.1037/a0025731Google Scholar
Wang, Y. C. (1960). Ideas and men in traditional China. Monumenta Serica, 19, 210275.Google Scholar
Wated, G. & Sanchez, J. I. (2012). The Cultural Boundary of Managing Nepotism. In Jones, R. G. (Ed.), Nepotism in Organizations (pp. 199218). New York, NY: Routledge.Google Scholar
Wegman, J. (2007). Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on accountant liability. Journal of Legal, Ethical & Regulatory Issues, 10, 118.Google Scholar
Whiston, S. C., & Keller, B. K. (2004). The influences of the family of origin on career development: A review and analysis. Counseling Psychologist, 32, 493568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wyatt, J. K., & Bootzin, R. R. (1994). Cognitive processing and sleep: Implications for enhancing job performance. Human Performance, 7, 119139. doi:10.1207/s15327043hup0702_2Google Scholar
Yuhas v. Liberty-Owens Ford, 562 F.2d 496 (7th Cir. 1977).Google Scholar
Zottoli, M. A., & Wanous, J. P. (2000). Recruitment source research: Current status and future directions. Human Resource Management Review, 10, 353382.Google Scholar