Conceptualization of wasta and its main consequences on human resource management

Fadi Alsarhan and Marc Valax ()
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Fadi Alsarhan: MAGELLAN - Laboratoire de Recherche Magellan - UJML - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon 3 - Université de Lyon - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon
Marc Valax: GRM - Groupe de Recherche en Management - EA 4711 - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur

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Abstract: Purpose This paper aims to offer a review of the concept of wasta, as a form of social capital in Arab societies. Furthermore, this paper seeks to elucidate the main implications of the use of wasta among human resource management (HRM) practices on the workplace environment and the overall performance of institutions. Design/methodology/approach The authors embraced a qualitative approach in this paper. A total of 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HR officials from different levels in a number of Jordanian public organizations. Findings The results obtained indicate that wasta has negative consequences on the overall performance of organizations, through the influence it exerts on employee motivation, morale and job satisfaction, frustration, workplace diversity, turnover, brain drain, as well as its effect on the image and reputation of the individuals and organizations alike. Originality/value In this paper, the authors attempted to illustrate the concept of wasta as a form of social capital and to analyze its links with the features of the Jordanian culture through two of Hofstede's dimensions. Furthermore, this paper is based both on the available literature and on data obtained through the semi-structured interviews. The findings through this process not only corroborate what we already know in the literature but they also generate an understanding of the hidden mechanisms that link the different implications of wasta together, creating the actual known consequences of this practice.

Date: 2020-08-17
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 2020, 14 (1), pp.114-127. ⟨10.1108/IMEFM-02-2019-0072⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03548509

DOI: 10.1108/IMEFM-02-2019-0072

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