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The generalist bias

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  • Wang, Long
  • Keith Murnighan, J.

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Long & Keith Murnighan, J., 2013. "The generalist bias," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 120(1), pages 47-61.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:120:y:2013:i:1:p:47-61
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2012.09.001
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    2. Sheng Cao & Shuang Xue & Hongjun Zhu, 2022. "Analysts' knowledge structure and performance," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(5), pages 4727-4753, December.
    3. Erin Fahrenkopf & Jerry Guo & Linda Argote, 2020. "Personnel Mobility and Organizational Performance: The Effects of Specialist vs. Generalist Experience and Organizational Work Structure," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 31(6), pages 1601-1620, November.
    4. Saes, Beatriz Macchione & Muradian, Roldan, 2021. "What misguides environmental risk perceptions in corporations? Explaining the failure of Vale to prevent the two largest mining disasters in Brazil," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    5. Ocieszak Marcin, 2020. "Determinants of Companies’ Financial Performance Following M&A Transactions in Poland," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 28(4), pages 51-66, December.
    6. Daniels, David P. & Neale, Margaret A. & Greer, Lindred L., 2017. "Spillover bias in diversity judgment," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 92-105.
    7. Avery, Derek R. & McKay, Patrick F. & Volpone, Sabrina D. & Malka, Ari, 2015. "Are companies beholden to bias? The impact of leader race on consumer purchasing behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-102.
    8. Sezer, Ovul & Zhang, Ting & Gino, Francesca & Bazerman, Max H., 2016. "Overcoming the outcome bias: Making intentions matter," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 13-26.

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