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The dark side of social relationships – the context of the video game industry

Author

Listed:
  • Czernek-Marszałek Katarzyna

    (Management Theory Department, University of Economics in Katowice, Katowice, Poland)

  • Klimas Patrycja

    (Department of Advanced Research in Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Wójcik Dagmara

    (Management Theory Department, University of Economics in Katowice, Katowice, Poland)

Abstract

Paper’s objectives The paper aims to explore the negative impacts of social relationships (SR) on business activity. As a research context, the video game industry (VGI) and the video game developers’ (VGDs) relationships are analyzed. Design/methods 17 semistructured in-depth interviews and 1 focus group interview with Polish VGDs were conducted. Findings (1) support for five negatives of SR previously discussed in the literature (2) recognition of the four original negatives (i.e., employee turnover, buying up employees, inefficiency/termination of interorganizational cooperation, and confidential information leakage); and (3) recognition of the harmful results of SR as an industry-dependent issue. Originality/value (1) Analyzing the negative consequences of SR for business, which is less frequently considered compared to the positive consequences of these relationships for business; (2) identifying dark sides previously unidentified in the literature; and (3) using the VGI as the research context.

Suggested Citation

  • Czernek-Marszałek Katarzyna & Klimas Patrycja & Wójcik Dagmara, 2024. "The dark side of social relationships – the context of the video game industry," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 60(2), pages 89-107.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ijomae:v:60:y:2024:i:2:p:89-107:n:1001
    DOI: 10.2478/ijme-2023-0025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    creative industries; dark sides; interpersonal relationships; negative effects; video game developers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L29 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Other
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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