• International Area Studies Review
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.251-275
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• 2016

This study aims to answer the following three questions: 1) What is "jeitinho" in Brazil and its historical roots, 2) What are similarities and differences between "jeitinho" and nepotism in Korea, and 3) Considering the nation-wide prevalence of "jeitinho" in Brazil as a desirable way of thinking and acting, how can Korean firms in Brazil effectively manage cultural differences between Brazil and Korea? To answer these questions, this study reviews previous research on "jeitinho" and nepotism and systematically compare them from a theoretical perspective. After that, the comparison results are further discussed in the context of Korean firms in Brazil, suggesting how the Brazilian and Korean culture can be successfully integrated to boost performance.