Heard it through the Grapevine

Abstract

Purposes

This study paper aims to analyse a real life case based on Human Resource Management, specifically the concepts of the recruitment process and the grapevine.

Theoretical basis

The main topic is HRM related. Concepts introduced include recruitment process and grapevine.

Research methodology

The information for the case was attained from one-on-one interviews with the main case protagonist, Sabrina (name of all characters in the case and organisations have been changed as per request of the interviewee. However, all the happenings in the case are real).

Case overview/synopsis

This case deals with the tricky situation faced by Sabrina, an certain employee of an international development organisation, (an institution focussing on aiding development in economically underdeveloped countries), who finds herself in when she inadvertently comes across some negative information about a job candidate currently in the middle of the recruitment process, who, if successful, will become her colleague and work closely with her in future. It has taken months to find this candidate, and if hired should lighten Sabrina’s workload tremendously. The preliminary decision maker in the case is Sabrina, but the ultimate management decision will have to be made by her boss John Nash.

Complexity academic level

The case can be used at undergraduate and graduate level. The main topic is Human Resource Management (HRM) related. It is of preliminary level of difficulty. There are no specific prerequisites. Concepts introduced include recruitment process and grapevine.

Citation

Anam, R.L. (2020), "Heard it through the Grapevine", , Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 615-623. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-03-2019-0018