About
Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim | Wasta Theory, Informal Governance, Sustainable Education, Education Leadership, & Tribalism Research:
Wasta & Social Networks
Informal governance
Tribalism & Tribal Behaviour
Social, Intimate, & institutional trust
Cross-cultural psychology
Organizational behavior
Higher education - Leadership & Well-being
Emerging market institutions
Corruption & Unethical Behavior
Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim is an internationally engaged scholar advancing original theoretical frameworks on informal governance, with a particular focus on Wasta and tribalism as structured socio-cultural systems shaping organisational behaviour, corruption, and institutional trust.
His research develops a novel theory of Wasta as a system of informal governance, offering a new lens for understanding how socio-cultural networks influence decision-making, ethical norms, and institutional outcomes across emerging markets. Through this work, he contributes to the broader field of cultural governance by integrating insights from organisational behaviour, social psychology, and institutional theory.
Dr. Abdelrahim is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. As a faculty member and active researcher, he contributes to academic development through teaching, postgraduate supervision, mentoring, and interdisciplinary research, as well as engagement in international academic and professional initiatives.
Key Achievements
Developed a novel theoretical framework of Wasta as informal governance
Author of a scholarly book on tribalism and cultural systems
Produced an extensive body of peer-reviewed research, including single-author contributions
Developed a measurable scale of tribalism for empirical research
International academic contributor (reviewing, judging, conferences, and advisory roles)
Theoretical Contributions
Dr. Abdelrahim’s research advances several original contributions to knowledge:
Development of a theoretical framework positioning Wasta as informal governance
Introduction of tribalism as a distinct and measurable cultural construct
The argument that tribalism operates beyond existing cultural models, including those based on Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
Creation of multiple conceptual and theoretical frameworks linking culture, corruption, and institutional behaviour
His work demonstrates that tribalism is not only culturally significant but also analytically measurable and empirically linked to outcomes such as corruption, ethical behaviour, and institutional trust.
Academic and Professional Engagement
Dr. Abdelrahim is actively involved in the global academic community through research, evaluation, and advisory roles. His contributions include:
Participation in international research and academic collaboration
Engagement in peer review and scholarly evaluation
Contributions to conferences as a presenter, session chair, and committee member
Involvement in global initiatives related to education, sustainability, and governance, including collaborations with organisations such as QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and GESS Education
He also contributes to academic quality assurance and institutional development through activities aligned with international standards, including AACSB-related processes.
Research Philosophy
Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim’s research is centred on the development of original social science theory at the intersection of organisational behaviour, cultural cognition, and institutional governance. His work is characterised by a strong emphasis on independent scholarship, with a substantial portion of his publications authored individually, demonstrating his capacity to generate original theoretical contributions.
Since 2019, he has produced an extensive body of peer-reviewed research and a scholarly book, contributing to emerging discussions on culture, governance, and institutional systems. His research spans multiple domains, including corruption, well-being, sustainability, and cross-cultural behaviour, while maintaining a unifying focus on how informal socio-cultural systems shape organisational and institutional outcomes.
A central contribution of his work is the development of a novel theoretical framework positioning Wasta as a system of informal governance, alongside the introduction of tribalism as a measurable cultural construct. His research includes the development and validation of one of the first individual-level scales of tribalism, enabling empirical analysis of its relationship with corruption, ethical behaviour, and institutional trust.
His empirical studies extend across global and regional contexts, including cross-national analyses of corruption and cultural behaviour, as well as applied research on education, sustainability, and organisational practices. This includes work examining the relationship between oppression and corruption across countries, as well as frameworks linking student well-being to sustainable development in higher education.
Dr. Abdelrahim’s ongoing research agenda focuses on advancing a broader, integrated theory of informal governance, with current projects examining Wasta in the MENA region, institutional behaviour in higher education, and the development of new theoretical models expected to generate multiple scholarly outputs.
Looking forward, his research aims to expand into interdisciplinary areas, including the application of classical social theory—such as the work of Ibn Khaldun—to contemporary organisational and institutional contexts, as well as the impact of globalisation on cultural systems and education.
Through this body of work, Dr. Abdelrahim contributes to the advancement of theory-driven, empirically grounded research with implications for policy, organisational effectiveness, and sustainable development in complex socio-cultural environments.
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim’s teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that education extends beyond knowledge transmission to the development of critical thinking, ethical awareness, and global competence. His approach integrates theory with real-world application, enabling students to understand how organisational and management practices operate within complex cultural, economic, and institutional contexts.
He emphasises active and cooperative learning, encouraging students to engage in discussion, debate, and problem-solving. Through group-based projects and applied assignments, students are exposed to diverse perspectives and develop skills in collaboration, communication, and analytical reasoning. This approach fosters both intellectual independence and intercultural competence.
Dr. Abdelrahim’s teaching is closely aligned with his research, particularly in areas such as organisational behaviour, cultural systems, and governance. He encourages students to critically examine how culture influences decision-making, ethics, and institutional outcomes, bridging academic theory with contemporary global challenges.
His teaching portfolio includes undergraduate and postgraduate courses in management, strategy, international business, organisational behaviour, research methods, human resource management, and business law. Across these courses, he designs learning experiences that promote evidence-based thinking, creativity, and responsible leadership.
He is committed to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment, where students are motivated to participate actively and develop confidence in their abilities. Assessment methods are structured to balance individual performance with collaborative learning, ensuring both accountability and teamwork.
Ultimately, Dr. Abdelrahim views teaching as a process of mentoring, inspiring, and preparing future leaders, equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to navigate and shape an increasingly interconnected world.
Diversity & Inclusion
Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within higher education through teaching, research, and institutional service. His work emphasises the importance of inclusive academic environments that support diverse perspectives, promote equal opportunity, and address structural inequalities in education and organisations.
In his leadership role as Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Service, he has contributed to initiatives that promote diversity in academic participation, including efforts to ensure representation across gender, cultural backgrounds, and nationalities in institutional activities and student engagement.
In the classroom, Dr. Abdelrahim integrates diversity and inclusion into his teaching through discussions, assignments, and collaborative projects that encourage students to engage with issues of equity, ethics, and social responsibility. His courses—particularly in organisational behaviour and international business—highlight how cultural diversity shapes decision-making, leadership, and organisational effectiveness.
His commitment to inclusion is also reflected in his mentorship of students from diverse backgrounds, supporting their academic development and fostering an environment of respect, engagement, and opportunity.
Drawing on international academic and professional experience across multiple regions, his work adopts a global perspective on diversity, recognising its central role in shaping institutions, governance systems, and societal outcomes.
Dr. Abdelrahim views diversity not only as a social value, but as a critical driver of innovation, organisational effectiveness, and sustainable development.