The generalist bias
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 47-61 |
| Journal / Publication | Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes |
| Volume | 120 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2013 |
Link(s)
Abstract
This research introduces the generalist bias - a tendency to reward and select people with general skills when complementary, specialized skills are needed. Five studies investigated its effects. Study 1 confirmed the existence of the bias in a context-free experiment. Study 2 showed that the compensation of players in NBA teams was related to their two- rather than their three-point scoring. Study 3 showed that basketball fans favored all-around players even when three-point shooters would better complement a team's needs. Study 4 showed that the generalist bias occurred in HR recruiting, and Study 5 showed that companies often recruited specialists to handle multiple, unrelated jobs. In addition, studies 3 and 4 also showed that joint evaluations (comparing specialists and generalists side-by-side) strengthened the generalist bias, whereas separate evaluations weakened it. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Research Area(s)
- Decision bias, Generalists, Selection, Social comparisons, Specialists
Citation Format(s)
The generalist bias. / Wang, Long; Keith Murnighan, J.
In: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 120, No. 1, 01.2013, p. 47-61.
In: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 120, No. 1, 01.2013, p. 47-61.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
