Reinterpreting Informal Networks through Social Capital: How Socio-Political Contexts Shape its Role in Organizational Dynamics

Ali, Sa’ad, Hilal, Rima, Darwish, Tamer K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1815-9338 and Abushaikha, Ismail (2026) Reinterpreting Informal Networks through Social Capital: How Socio-Political Contexts Shape its Role in Organizational Dynamics. Employee Relations. (In Press)

Text 16422 Sa'ad A et al. (2026) Reinterpreting Informal Networks through Social Capital.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 September 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0. Download (768kB)

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines how wasta, as a form of informal networking, operates across socio-politically distinct contexts in the Middle East, and how these variations shape human resource management (HRM) practices. Design/methodology/approach: The study draws on qualitative interview data from 31 professionals in Jordan and Lebanon, adopting a comparative design grounded in social capital theory to analyse how informal networks function across different socio-political environments. Findings: The findings show that wasta is not a culturally uniform practice, but a context-dependent mechanism shaped by political and institutional arrangements. In Jordan, wasta operates primarily as bonding social capital, reinforcing in-group cohesion within relatively homogeneous and tribal structures. In Lebanon, wasta takes on a more complex and politically mediated form, exhibiting bridging characteristics by enabling connections across sectarian and political divides, while also reflecting elements of strategic brokerage within patronage-based systems. These variations lead to distinct implications for recruitment, promotion and access to opportunities. Originality/value: This study challenges the dominant view of wasta as a culturally homogeneous practice by demonstrating that bonding and bridging social capital are not inherent properties of ties, but outcomes shaped by socio-political context. It advances social capital theory by offering a context-sensitive reconceptualisation of informal networks and contributes to HRM scholarship by showing how contextually embedded informal practices shape organisational processes in different ways.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wasta; Informal networks; Social capital; Human resource management (HRM); Socio-political context; Emerging markets; Jordan; Lebanon
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business > HF5549 Personnel management. Employment management H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Tamer Darwish
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2026 12:03
Last Modified:	13 Jul 2026 12:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/16422

University Staff: Request a correction | Repository Editors: Update this record