Managing Human Resources, Eight Edition

 You Manage It! 4: Global In Praise of Nepotism?

Nepotism is a global HR practice that gives preference in the workplace to relatives and friends of organization members in decisions such as hiring, promotions, and pay. In places such as China and Africa, nepotism has been used to favor members of one’s kinship group or tribe over others. In Western Europe and the United States, nepotism has been used to favor members of one’s family or social class.

Nepotism challenges some of the core values in the U.S. workplace, such as the principles of merit and equal opportunity. Yet nepotism is still applied in the United States in business, public life, ...