In this paper, we examine the personal ties between authors and editors of the regular and special issues published in three Academy of Management journal (Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management and Learning Education, Academy of Management Discoveries). The analysis of the sample of 511 articles published in 44 issues in years 2004-2020 indicates that the author-editor ties are higher for lower impact factor journals and special issues. Moreover, special issues of higher impact AOM journals demonstrate fewer insider effects than special issues of lower impact factor AOM journals.