Wasta in Jordanian banking: An Emic Approach to a Culture-Specific Concept of Social Networking and Its Power Implications

Sa'ad Ali, David Weir

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter reviews the background and cultural implications of wasta business networking in the Jordanian banking sector. The chapter starts with exploring this practice, its origin and its use in Jordanian society and business context, highlighting how wasta is often viewed with an etic approach by its researchers and related to concepts such as corruption and favouritism. The wider context of wasta in Jordan is explored and wasta is viewed with an emic approach, drawing on insights from 17 interviews in the case of Jordanian banking sector. A more balanced exploration of wasta is offered, drawing on the role of identity and power in wasta practice and highlighting its possible benefits and drawbacks in employee selection. Reflexive considerations of using wasta to research wasta and the authors’ insider/outsider statuses are discussed and recommendations to students, researchers and practitioners are offered.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCases in Critical Cross-Cultural Management
Subtitle of host publicationAn Intersectional Approach to Culture
EditorsJasmin Mahadevan, Henriett Primecz, Laurence Romani
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter5
Pages59-71
Number of pages13
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781351121057, 9781351121064
ISBN (Print)9780815383482, 9780815359340
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2019
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameRoutledge Studies in International Business and the World Economy
PublisherRoutledge

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