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Policing Nepotism and Cronyism Without Losing the Value of Social Connection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2015

Robert G. Jones  and
Tracy Stout
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: robertjones@missouristate.edu
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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
Information
Industrial and Organizational Psychology , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 2015 , pp. 2 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology 2015 

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