[zo1]

And this company that didn't hire the most-competent candidate: Would you say that they are now some how measurably worse-off within the market? At the very least, in relation to a potential competitor that did snag up that candidate?

[ak39]

If you're asking whether they "learnt" their lesson ... I very much doubt that cultures that entrench such biases are ever shaken up to reconsider the harmful effects (financial or otherwise) of their adopted attitudes. Don't underestimate the power of the "backfire effect" on the minds of middle-managers who don't want to be revealed as having made mistakes.

It takes a bold and courageous leader to admit mistakes in the corporate environment. Or a stupid one.

[woodman]

> If you're asking whether they "learnt" their lesson ...

I don't think that is the question. I believe the point being made was that the free market punishes this sort of behavior. You don't rely on the company's officers learning their lesson, or following the spirit of some law - you rely on market forces killing the company that passes over superior candidates.

[paragpatelone]

The competitor that his hiring the best people in terms of skills and values (values that aligned with the companies core values); given everything else is equal will be much better off.