Flattery: A Strategic Pathway to Career Success in Developing Countries
Keywords:
Flattery, Career Success, Organizational Culture, Strategic Communication, Developing CountriesAbstract
This study investigates flattery as a strategic communication practice influencing career success in developing countries, moving beyond its common perception as mere insincere praise. It explores flattery’s potential to build social capital and facilitate career advancement within hierarchical and collectivist organizational cultures, acknowledging that effective and ethical usage of flattery remains contested. Synthesizing existing literature and empirical case studies from diverse sectors, the research examines how cultural contexts shape perceptions, effectiveness, and ethical considerations surrounding flattery. Findings underscore the significance of adaptive leadership, communication skills, and cultural intelligence in leveraging flattery to foster positive relationships, enhance employee engagement, and achieve sustainable career growth. The analysis highlights the complexities of flattery, demonstrating that while it can enhance upward mobility in hierarchical settings, it may reduce trust in more egalitarian cultures. Ultimately, this study proposes a framework for organizations to effectively integrate flattery into their communication practices, balancing its potential benefits with ethical considerations to optimize personnel success and organizational harmony in diverse cultural environments.
References
Abalkhail, J. (2020). Women managing women: Hierarchical relationships and career impact. Career Development International, 25(4), 389-413. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-01-2019-0020
Abane, J.A., Adamtey, R. & Ayim, V.O. (2022). Does organizational culture influence employee productivity at the local level? A test of Denison's culture model in Ghana’s local government sector. Future Business Journal, 8, 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-022-00145-5
Adanzounon, N., Meddeb, B., & Ika, L. (2024). Organizational learning capacity and international development project success in West Africa: A case study. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 91(1), 27-42. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523241258214
Amorin, R. (2021). The influence of leadership behaviour on organizational culture among the academic deans of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Panay Island, Philippines. Journal of Business and Management Studies, 3(2), 256-267. https://doi.org/10.32996/jbms.2021.3.2.27
Bakhsh Magsi, H., Ong, T. S., Ho, J. A., & Sheikh Hassan, A. F. (2018). Organizational culture and environmental performance. Sustainability, 10(8), 2690. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082690
Bartuševičienė, I., Butkus, M., & Schiuma, G. (2022). Modelling organizational resilience structure: Insights to assess resilience integrating bounce-back and bounce-forward. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(1), 153-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-04-2022-0180
Bazine, N., Stevenson, L., & Fréour, L. (2024). Protean career orientation and career success: On the roles of proactive career process during the school-to-work transition. Journal of Career Assessment, 33(2), 284-300. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727241262289
Bowles, H. R., Thomason, B., & Bear, J. B. (2019). Reconceptualizing what and how women negotiate for career advancement. Academy of Management Journal, 62(6), 1645-1671. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2017.1497
Cao, L., Hirschi, A., & Deller, J. (2012). Self‐initiated expatriates and their career success. The Journal of Management Development, 31(2), 159-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711211199494
Chu, F., Ye, L., & Guo, M. (2015). Research on the evaluation indicators of skilled employees’ career success based on grounded theory. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 8(2), 554-566. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.1396
Dal Borgo, R. W., & Sasia, P. M. (2021). From profit to purpose: How electric utility multinationals visualize systemic change and adaptation of organizational ethical culture through scenarios for 2040. Sustainability, 13(21), 12045. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112045
De Clercq, D., & Pereira, R. (2023). You’re so good-looking and wise, my powerful leaders! When deference becomes flattery in employee–authority relations. Personnel Review, 52(5), 1525-1547. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-08-2021-0573
Deng, H., Guan, Y., Zhou, X., Li, Y., Cai, D., Li, N., & Liu, B. (2024). The “double-edged sword” effects of career support mentoring on newcomer turnover: How and when it helps or hurts. Journal of Applied Psychology, 109(7), 1094–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001143
Diposentono, L., Zainal, V., & Hakim, A. (2023). Organizational justice, work discipline, and employee performance: A literature review. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 1(4), 327-334.
Do, B. R., Yeh, P. W., & Madsen, J. (2016). Exploring the relationship among human resource flexibility, organizational innovation and adaptability culture. Chinese Management Studies, 10(4), 657-674. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-01-2016-0022
Donate, M. J., & Guadamillas, F. (2011). Organizational factors to support knowledge management and innovation. Journal of knowledge management, 15(6), 890-914. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673271111179271
Ekakoro, E. N. (2023). Impact of women empowerment on career advancement of female engineers. African Journal of Empirical Research, 4(2), 976-983. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.99
Fitong Ketchiwou, G., & Naong, M. N. (2023). Exploring practices that impact women’s career advancement within the workplace: A qualitative approach. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 15(2), 279-299. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-05-2023-0164
Franczak, J., & Weinzimmer, L. (2022). How SMEs leverage adaptability, risk-taking, and action into positive performance— A moderated mediation model. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 32(4), 16-29. https://doi.org/10.53703/001c.40318
Georgescu, I., Bocean, C. G., Vărzaru, A. A., Rotea, C. C., Mangra, M. G., & Mangra, G. I. (2024). Enhancing organizational resilience: The transformative influence of strategic human resource management practices and organizational culture. Sustainability, 16(10), 4315. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104315
Ghaleb, B. D. S. (2024). The importance of organizational culture for business success. Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin dan Inovasi Teknologi, 2(3), 727-735. https://doi.org/10.59653/jimat.v2i03.1098
Givens, R. J. (2012). The study of the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance in non-profit religious organizations. International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, 15(2), 239-263. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-15-02-2012-B004
Gong, Z., Van Swol, L. M., & Wang, X. (2022). Study on the relationship between nurses’ mentoring relationship and organizational commitment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13362. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013362
Hallmann, K., Breuer, C., Ilgner, M., Giel, T., & Rossi, L. (2018). Determinants of elite athletes’ extrinsic and intrinsic career success. Sport Business and Management an International Journal, 8(4), 375-392. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBM-11-2017-0072
Hamsal, M., Ichsan, M., Utomo, A. R., Fahira, A. A., & Wetik, R. E. (2021). The relationship analysis between knowledge & skills, organizational drivers, and perceived success in implementation of agile project management: Case study of PT XYZ. International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management, 27(2), 111-126. https://doi.org/10.46970/2021.27.2.2
Harris, C. M., Pattie, M. W., & Mcmahan, G. C. (2014). Advancement along a career path: The influence of human capital and performance. Human Resource Management Journal, 25(1), 102-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12047
Hussain, M. R. (2022). Why public sector projects fail or succeed in Pakistan-A model for evaluating impact of HR management practices on Project Success. International Journal of Engineering and Management Sciences, 7(2), 77-90. https://doi.org/10.21791/IJEMS.2022.2.6.
Imhanrenialena, B. O., Ebhotemhen, W., Agbaeze, E. K., Eze, N. C., & Oforkansi, E. S. (2024). Exploring how institutionalized patriarchy relates to career outcomes among African women: Evidence from Nigeria. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 40(1), 43-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-06-2023-0223
Jahmurataj, V. (2015). Impact of culture on organizational development: Case study Kosovo. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 4(2), 206-210. https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s1p206
Jasimuddin, S. M., & Hasan, I. (2015). Organizational culture, structure, technology infrastructure and knowledge sharing. Vine, 45(1), 67-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/VINE-05-2014-0037
Jáuregui, K., & Rossini, M. (2018). The career advancement challenge faced by female executives in Peruvian organisations. Brazilian Administration Review, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-7692bar2018170137
Jayaraman, R., & Mishra, S. K. (2022). Work and non-work life of R&D professionals during Covid-19: A cultural perspective. Management Decision, 60(6), 1744-1762. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-11-2020-1575
Jung, J. Y. (2022). The effect of authentic leadership of deans and directors on sustainable organizational commitment at universities: Mediated by organizational culture and trust. Sustainability, 14(17), 11051. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711051
Kang, E. Y., Atkinson, L., & Sung, Y. H. (2023). Flattery will get you somewhere, sometimes? The effect of flattery and hotel segments on a hotel guests' green behavior. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 23(2), 423-439. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.2209
Kang, L. S., & Kaur, G. (2020). Personal cognitive factors affecting career aspirations of women working in financial sector in India. Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 24(4), 419-430. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972262920931344
Kats, M. M., Hetty Van Emmerik, I. J., Blenkinsopp, J., & Khapova, S. N. (2010). Exploring the associations of culture with careers and the mediating role of HR practices: A conceptual model. Career Development International, 15(4), 401-418. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620431011066268
Khan, I. U., Shoukat, L., & Waheed, M. (2019). Impact of organizational culture attributes on the employees performance in educational context. Global Regional Review, 4(1), 441-450. https://doi.org/10.31703/grr.2019(IV-I).48
Kim, M., & Chai, S. (2014). Investigating a role of strategic sourcing and organizaiotnal culture on mitigating risk in supply chain. Journal of International Logistics and Trade, 12(2), 121-139. https://doi.org/10.24006/jilt.2014.12.2.121
Kim, P. H., Diekmann, K. A., & Tenbrunsel, A. E. (2003). Flattery may get you somewhere: The strategic implications of providing positive vs. negative feedback about ability vs. ethicality in negotiation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 90(2), 225-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-5978(02)00522-8
Köninger, J. K., & Gouthier, M. H. (2024). Successful implementation of customer experience strategy: Determinants and results. Journal of Service Management, 35(5), 605-629. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-10-2023-0431
Kristensen, R. H., Kent, P., Warming‐Rasmussen, B., & Windsor, C. (2016). Do mother and father auditors have equal prospects for career advancement?. International Journal of Auditing, 21(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijau.12074
Kundi, Y. M., Khoso, U., & Adnan, N. (2022). Instrumental support, relational attachment, and subjective career success: The moderating role of personal support. Journal of Career Assessment, 30(4), 739-755. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727211069291
Kwarteng, A., & Aveh, F. (2018). Empirical examination of organizational culture on accounting information system and corporate performance: Evidence from a developing country perspective. Meditari Accountancy Research, 26(4), 675-698. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-01-2018-0264
Lu, X., & Guy, M. E. (2016). Political skill, organizational justice, and career success in mainland China. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 84(2), 371-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852315619025
Mainemelis, C., Nolas, S. M., & Tsirogianni, S. (2015). Surviving a boundaryless creative career: The case of oscar-nominated film directors, 1967-2014. Journal of Management Inquiry, 25(3), 262-285. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492615616871
Mathieson, S. A. (2009). Flattery will get you everywhere. Infosecurity, 6(3), 18-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1754-4548(09)70058-0
Mishra, A. K. (2022). Impact of organizational culture on performance and effectiveness. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 3343-3354. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.3343ecst
Mohamed, A., Ibrahim, Z. Z., Silong, A. D., & Abdullah, R. (2016). Distributed leadership in a low-carbon city agenda. Sustainability, 8(8), 715. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080715
Mubarok, E. S. (2019). The effect of organizational culture and work motivation on employee performance: The mediating role of job satisfaction. European Journal of Business and Management, 11(35), 69-79.
Murunga, E. S., & Karugu, J. E. (2019). Organizational culture and strategy execution at commission for university education, Kenya. International Journal of Current Aspects, 3(5), 76-90. https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v3iV.62
Namdech, P., Rattanasirivilai, S., & Rathachatranon, W. (2023). Organizational citizenship behavior of Thailand’s Prime Minister’s Office personnel and the policy recommendations for development. Asian Political Science Review, 8(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.14456/apsr.2024.2
Nesbit, P., & Lam, E. (2014). Cultural adaptability and organizational change: A case study of a social service organization in Hong Kong. Contemporary Management Research, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.7903/cmr.12186
Nguyen, V. T., Siengthai, S., Swierczek, F., & Bamel, U. K. (2019). The effects of organizational culture and commitment on employee innovation: evidence from Vietnam’s IT industry. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 13(4), 719-742. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-09-2018-0253
O’Reilly III, C. A., Caldwell, D. F., Chatman, J. A., & Doerr, B. (2014). The promise and problems of organizational culture: CEO personality, culture, and firm performance. Group & Organization Management, 39(6), 595-625. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601114550713
Ogbonna, E., & Harris, L. C. (2013). Organizational cultural perpetuation: A case study of an English Premier League football club. British Journal of Management, 25(4), 667-686. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12037
Park, S. H., Westphal, J. D., & Stern, I. (2011). Set up for a fall: The insidious effects of flattery and opinion conformity toward corporate leaders. Administrative Science Quarterly, 56(2), 257-302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0001839211429102
Rogers, B. A., Sezer, O., & Klein, N. (2023). Too naïve to lead: When leaders fall for flattery. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 125(6), 1394-1419. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000433
Roos, N., Sassen, R., & Guenther, E. (2022). Sustainability governance toward an organizational sustainability culture at German higher education institutions. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(3), 553-583. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2021-0396
Salisu, I., Hashim, N., & Galadanchi, A. (2019). Entrepreneurial career resilience and entrepreneurial career success: Does entrepreneurial career commitment matter?. Management Science Letters, 9(1), 73-90. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.014
Samosh, D. (2020). The three-legged stool: Synthesizing and extending our understanding of the career advancement facilitators of persons with disabilities in leadership positions. Business & Society, 60(7), 1773-1810. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650320907134
Sangperm, N. (2018). Structural equation model cause of organizational citizenship behavior of personnel of Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, Thailand. PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 7(1), 31–41.
Santos, G. G. (2016). Career barriers influencing career success: A focus on academics’ perceptions and experiences. Career Development International, 21(1), 60-84. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-03-2015-0035
Sarros, J. C., Cooper, B. K., & Santora, J. C. (2008). Building a climate for innovation through transformational leadership and organizational culture. Journal of leadership & Organizational Studies, 15(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051808324100
Savović, S., Nikolić, J., & Zlatanović, D. (2022). Acquisitions, organizational culture and performance: Empirical evidence from acquired company in Serbia. Management: Journal of Sustainable Business and Management Solutions in Emerging Economies, 27(3), 23-34.
Seo, J., & Lee, S. (2021). The moderating effect of organizational culture type on the relationship between cultural satisfaction and employee referral intention: Mining employee reviews on glassdoor.com. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 34(5), 1096-1106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-01-2021-0009
Srivastava, S., Goldberg, A., Manian, V., & Potts, C. (2015). Enculturation trajectories and individual attainment: An interactional language use model of cultural dynamics in organizations. (Stanford University Graduate School of Business Research Paper No. 16-3). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2701097
Takeuchi, R., O'Brien, M. M., Ormond, K. B., Brown, S. D., & Maly, M. R. (2008). “Moving forward”: Success from a physiotherapist's point of view. Physiotherapy Canada, 60(1), 19-29. https://doi.org/10.3138/physio/60/1/19
Torres, D. A., Kapusta, S., Hlebichuk, J., Marzinski, S. J., & Tutino, J. (2024). Best fit for nurse advancement: Breaking down barriers to career progression. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 40(6), 327-333.
Xenikou, A., & Simosi, M. (2006). Organizational culture and transformational leadership as predictors of business unit performance. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21(6), 566-579.
Yaghi, A. (2017). Adaptive organizational leadership style: Contextualizing transformational leadership in a non-western country. International Journal of Public Leadership, 13(4), 243-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-01-2017-0001
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 STOU Academic Journal of Research and Innovation (Humanities and Social Science)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
