Nepotism is the act of hiring relatives, which will result in emotional complications in decision making. Nepotism is mostly common in family business in which it will be acceptable, more often, respectful positions for several reasons; could be better for safety/security especially and for confidentiality. However, others oppose this idea that consequences of nepotism might result in illegal employment discrimination. Still others support nepotism in small businesses and/or family businesses based on being practiced in a reasonable way having guidelines and qualifications as well as enjoying fair reward system. This means, if a relative or family member will be hired for specific job, he/she should have the qualifications and job related skills at the same time he/she will be treated the same way like others & rewarded likewise. Usually nepotism occurs in business and politics.
Adams Bellow’s Explanation of Nepotism
One of the experts in Family Business Enterprise Adam Bellow through his book “In Praise of Nepotism” explained the differences in Nepotism between past and present as follows. New nepotism is different than old nepotism. Parents are not the ones who pull the strings. Instead, children do it themselves.
Old style nepotism has changed since World War II. Before that time, “…in most family businesses, you kept things in the family. But it wasn't just an upper class phenomenon. The same thing was done among immigrants. Family members would come over from other countries at different points, and they didn't come as individuals but as families and ethnic groups. They habitually relied on extended families to get credit and for manpower and markets. All the ethnic groups created their own independent economies, and when businesses became successful they broke out of their ethnic economy. And that's how most nationally successful businesses started, as a family business. But we forget all of this. People can't remember when they weren't in the middle class. They can't remember how they got here”. (Adam Bellow, 2003)
With this explanation of Adam Bellow, that nepotism has produced both positive and negative results in everything from ancient Chinese clans to Renaissance and American families like the Gores, Kennedys, and Bushes. Practiced badly or haphazardly, nepotism is embarrassing to everyone, including the recipient, but done well it can benefit society as a whole. Nepotism is always found but changing the way or the approach from generation to another.