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Wasta: Advancing a Holistic Model to Bridge the Micro-Macro Divide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2020

Sa'ad Ali  and
David Weir
Sa'ad Ali*
Affiliation:
University of Derby, UK
David Weir
Affiliation:
York St. John University, UK
*
Corresponding author: Sa'ad Ali (s.ali@derby.ac.uk)
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Abstract

This article offers a synthesis of understandings of wasta, seen as a form of social network prevalent in the Arab Middle East. Whilst there has been increasing interest in this practice, research remains fragmented and has been criticised for its limited theoretical rigor. To address this issue, a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles exploring wasta published between 1993 and 2019 was conducted. We analysed the identified papers according to the theoretical lens from which wasta was viewed, creating a bridge between a theoretical focus on the macro aspect of wasta and an alternative focus on its micro aspects, leading to the development of a holistic model of wasta. The model also helps us to understand the complexity of wasta, both as the network itself and as the social ties that exist among its members, and sheds light on the complex nature of the role and interactions of the wasta. The findings respond to calls for more holistic and inclusive research to inform social networks research and bridge the micro–macro divide. This article offers recommendations to future researchers to build on the holistic and emic approach to wasta research adopted here.

摘要

摘要

本文对于Wasta 这一盛行于阿拉伯中东的社会网络形式提供了综合的理解。虽然人们对于这种实践越来越有兴趣，但研究依然是分割的，而且被批评为缺乏理论上的严谨。为了解决这一问题，我们系统地回顾了1993至2019年间发表在同行评审期刊上探讨Wasta的文章。我们根据这些文章看待Wasta的理论视角进行分析，在关注Wasta的宏观和微观方面的理论视角之间建立了联系，从而建立了一个关于Wasta的整体模型。该模型有助于我们理解Wasta作为网络本身和存在于成员之间的社会联系所具有的复杂性，从而阐明Wasta的角色和互动的复杂本质。这些发现响应了在社会网络领域开展更整体更包容的研究并打通宏观和微观分割的呼吁。本文为未来研究Wasta的学者建立整体和客位的方法提供了建议。

Аннотация

АННОТАЦИЯ

Эта статья предлагает соединение понятий Wasta, которое считается формой социальной сети на арабском Ближнем Востоке. Несмотря на растущий интерес к этому явлению, исследования остаются разрозненными и подвергаются критике за отсутствие теоретической строгости. Чтобы решить эту проблему, мы провели систематический обзор рецензируемых научных статей, которые были посвящены исследованию Wasta и опубликованы в период с 1993 по 2019 годов. Мы проанализировали отобранные статьи с точки зрения теоретического подхода к явлению Wasta, с целью соединить теоретическую направленность на макроуровень Wasta с вниманием к микроаспектам этого явления, что привело к развитию целостной модели Wasta. Данная модель также помогает понять сложность явления Wasta, как в смысле социальной сети, так и социальных связей, которые существуют между ее членами, а также проливает свет на сложный характер роли и взаимодействий внутри Wasta. Наши выводы откликаются на призывы к более целостным и всеобъемлющим исследованиям, чтобы внести свой вклад в изучение социальных связей и преодоление разрыва между микро- и макроуровнями. В этой статье предлагаются рекомендации для будущих исследователей, которые последуют целостному и эмическому подходу в изучении Wasta, который был принят в данной работе.

Resumen

RESUMEN

Este artículo ofrece una síntesis de los entendimientos sobre el Wasta, visto cómo una forma de red social prevalente en el Oriente Medio árabe. Mientras que ha aumentado el interés en esta práctica, la investigación sigue fragmentada y ha sido criticada por su limitado rigor teórico. Para abordar este problema, se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de los artículos de revistas revisados por pares que exploraban el Wasta publicados entre 1993 y 2019. Analizamos los trabajos identificados de acuerdo con el objetivo teórico desde el que se vio el Wasta, creando un puente entre un enfoque teórico en el aspecto macro del Wasta y un enfoque alternativo en sus aspectos micro, lo que conduce al desarrollo de un modelo holístico del Wasta. El modelo también nos ayuda a entender la complejidad del Wasta, tanto como la propia red como como los lazos sociales que existen entre sus miembros, y arroja luz sobre la compleja naturaleza del papel y las interacciones del Wasta. Los hallazgos responden a los llamamientos de una investigación más holística e inclusiva para informar la investigación de las redes sociales y hacer un puente entre la división micro-macro. Este artículo ofrece recomendaciones a los futuros investigadores para aprovechar el enfoque holístico y emico de la investigación del Wasta adoptada aquí.

Keywords

guanxiinformal institutionsinstitutionalismsocial capitalsocial networkswasta关系非正式制度制度主义社会资本社会网络wastaguanxiнеформальные институтыинституционализмсоциальный капиталсоциальные связиwastaguanxiinstituciones informalesinstitucionalismocapital socialredes socialeswasta
Type
Special Issue Articles
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 16 , Special Issue 3: Informal Networks: Dark Sides, Bright Sides, and Unexplored Dimensions , July 2020 , pp. 657 - 685
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International Association for Chinese Management Research

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Footnotes

ACCEPTED BY Guest Editors Fida Afiouni, Sven Horak, and Alena Ledeneva, Senior Editors Yanjie Bian and Maral Muratbekova-Touron, and Deputy Editor Carl F. Fey

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