Employment Nepotism and Favoritism: Clientelism, Institutional Failure, and Economic Implications

Abstract

Nepotism and corruption are interconnected phenomena that challenge economic development, the rule of law, and the effective functioning of public institutions. Nepotism typically manifests through the employment or advancement of relatives and close associates at the expense of professional merit. This study analyzes factors associated with nepotism and corruption in Kosovo and examines their perceived effects on recruitment, career advancement, institutional functioning, and economic conditions. A mixed-methods design combines a descriptive employee survey with analysis of peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports, and policy documents. The available survey results are reported as percentages because the retained study materials do not specify a complete respondent count suitable for inferential analysis. The findings indicate widespread perceptions that family and personal connections influence hiring and promotion, weaken transparency and merit-based practices, and affect organizational trust and fairness. Secondary evidence also links weak meritocratic institutions with lower administrative quality and greater corruption risk. The study recommends stronger merit-based recruitment and promotion, transparent human resource procedures, ethical training, institutional accountability, and civil-society oversight.