THE MEDIATING ROLE OF FAVORITISM IN THE EFFECT OF INFORMAL RELATIONSHIPS ON SOCIAL LOAFING IN ORGANIZATIONS

Mustafa Altıntaş and Ethem Merdan
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Mustafa Altıntaş: KIRŞEHİR AHİ EVRAN UNIVERSITESI, İKTİSADİ VE İDARİ BİLİMLER FAKuLTESİ, SİYASET BİLİMİ VE KAMU YÖNETİMİ BÖLuMu, YÖNETİM BİLİMLERİ ANABİLİM DALI
Ethem Merdan: KIRSEHIR AHI EVRAN UNIVERSITY

Ekonomi Maliye Isletme Dergisi, 2025, vol. 8, issue 1, 15-29

Abstract: Informal relationships are characterized as situations that lack clearly defined boundaries, may emerge in various ways, and are based on different underlying reasons. This unofficial network of relationships can be considered a precursor to various behaviors within organizations. Such informal ties, usually formed between managers and employees, are often regarded as the starting point for behaviors such as social loafing and favoritism. This study was conducted to determine the mediating role of favoritism in the effect of informal relationships on social loafing. A quantitative research design was adopted, and the sample consisted of SMEs operating in Kırşehir, Turkey. Convenience sampling was employed, resulting in data collected from 443 SME employees. The data were analyzed using the Smart-PLS software, through which a structural equation model was constructed. The findings indicate that favoritism partially mediates the effect of informal relationships on social loafing within organizations. Additionally, it was found that informal relationships negatively affect both social loafing and favoritism. Furthermore, favoritism was found to have a positive effect on social loafing. The results suggest that informal relationships do not disrupt organizational functioning. On the contrary, it can be stated that informal relationship networks contribute to accomplishing tasks in ways that benefit organizations.

Keywords: Informal Relationships; Social Loafing; Favoritism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M10 M12 M14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gnx:emid43:2025-8-1-1688693

DOI: 10.46737/emid.1688693

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