Designing and Explaining a Model for the Formation of Cronyism in the Organization

This research was conducted with the goal of identifying the causes and roots of Cronyism in governmental organizations of Lorestan Province.

The present research was a survey-type regarding purpose, it was descriptive from the viewpoint of data collection method, and with regard to the nature of data, it was a qualitative research based on the grounded theory. The statistical population was comprised of governmental organizations’ senior managers with at least 4 years of managerial experience and with academic education at doctoral level in the fields of management, economics, and law. Applying theoretical sampling method and saturation rule, we selected fifteen managers. The required data were collected using semi-structured interviews.

Results show that 183 identified open codes were combined in the framework of 93 subcategories and 25 main categories, which were then shaped into 6 main layers including causal conditions, central category, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences.

Originality: 

Presenting a model for organizational cronyism, which includes the most important and underlying factors in the fields of nepotism and gangsterism, the present research can help policymakers and researchers find out the roots of these factors and subsequently, implement strategies and mechanisms to overcome the negative consequences.

Implications: 

Paying attention to policy issues, transparency, accountability, reconsidering performance evaluation programs, and finally, enhancing meritocracy based on objective criteria can largely prevent the occurrence of cronyism in the organization.