Nepotizm algısının iş tatmini üzerindeki etkisinde kariyer beklentisinin aracı rolü: KOBİ’ler üzerine bir araştırma

Nepotism is defined as the process of hiring or promoting individuals based solely on family ties, regardless of their professional competence and experience. Such practices can erode the perception of fairness within organisational structures, negatively impacting employee motivation and commitment levels. Because human resources constitute a fundamental pillar of an organisation's sustainable success, it is crucial to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the various factors that shape employee attitudes and behaviours. Such an understanding is vital for promoting organisational effectiveness and achieving long-term strategic objectives. The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) employees' perceptions of nepotism on their career expectations and job satisfaction. In this context, a theoretical framework was established for the concepts of nepotism, career expectations, and job satisfaction, drawing on the relevant literature. Subsequently, statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and AMOS software. Empirical findings indicate that employees' perceptions of nepotism have a significant and negative impact on both their career expectations and overall job satisfaction. In situations where nepotism is perceived intensely, it can be said that employees experience a significant decline in their career goals and job satisfaction. Another finding reveals that career expectations play a mediating role in the relationship between perceived nepotism and job satisfaction. Although concepts such as nepotism, career expectations, and job satisfaction have been addressed in the literature, the limited number of studies examining these three variables together constitutes the original contribution of this research.