When the inferior candidate is offered the job : the selection interview as a political and power game.

Abstract

The article seeks to advance the view that the selection interview frequently serves as a political arena for various power networks in the organization whose interests may be conflicting. Members of the interview panel try to advance the interests of the power networks to which they belong by lobbying for the candidates whose background and values concur most with those interests. The notion of the interview as a political and power game is illustrated with a case from the academic environment. It is concluded that there is a need for systematic investigation to establish the prevalence of the phenomenon, develop taxonomies, and examine its relationship with variables and outcomes of importance to organizations.