You are an expatriate manager sent to work in the Indian operation of your company. As you get settled in, one of your first decisions is to hire an assistant manager. Your efficient office manager, who has been extremely helpful to you already and has been with the company for many years, quickly suggests one of his relatives, who, he tells you, would be perfect for the job. According to him, his cousin just graduated from a top business school and, most important, is trustworthy, loyal, and eager to work and learn. Your office manager tells you that his cousin will be coming shortly to introduce himself. He tells you that you don’t have to be inconvenienced any further and won’t need to waste your time interviewing and checking references of strangers who could be unreliable.
1. How do you interpret and explain your office manager’s actions?
2. Will you hire the “cousin”?
3. What factors do you need to consider before making your decision?