Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim

Interdisciplinary Researcher |Wasta Theory, Informal Governance, Sustainable Education, Education Leadership, & Tribalism Research:

• Wasta & Social Networks

• Informal governance

• Institutional Theory.

• Cultural Studies. 

• Tribalism  Research & 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 interdisciplinary academic researcher whose work focuses on informal governance systems, Wasta, tribalism, cultural institutions, organisational behaviour, and governance dynamics in emerging market economies. Dr Abdelrahim's research develops theoretical and empirical frameworks that explain how socio-cultural and informal institutional mechanisms shape organisational behaviour, leadership, innovation, ethics, corruption, and sustainable development. Dr Abdelrahim integrates perspectives from organisational behaviour, institutional theory, governance studies, and cultural systems research to advance understanding of how informal structures influence formal institutions in complex societies. 

Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim is a book author, theorist, and interdisciplinary scholar in organisational behaviour and cultural cognition whose work develops original theoretical and empirical frameworks at the intersection of management, social psychology, and institutional governance. His research reconceptualises tribalism and Wasta as structured, measurable systems influencing organisational behaviour, corruption, and institutional trust across emerging markets. Dr Abdelrahim is the author of Understanding Tribes and Tribalism, a foundational work that establishes tribalism as a distinct cultural construct with measurable dimensions. Building on this, his ongoing research advances a broader theoretical framework positioning Wasta as a system of informal governance, offering new insights into how cultural systems shape ethics, institutional performance, and policy outcomes.

Academic Impact Dashboard

Scholarly Metrics

• 320+ Citations (Google Scholar)

• h-index: 6

• 19+ Scopus-indexed publications

• Q1 journal publications (Sustainability, Heliyon, etc.)

• International conference proceedings

• Peer-reviewed journal articles in management and governance

Research Scope

• Informal Governance Systems

• Wasta and Institutional Behaviour

• Tribalism and Corruption

• Cultural Dimensions of Organizations

• Organisational Behaviour in Emerging Markets

• Sustainability and Education Systems

Academic Positioning

Dr Abdelrahim’s research is positioned at the intersection of organisational behaviour, governance studies, institutional theory, and cultural systems analysis.

A central contribution of his work is the development of Wasta as a structured informal governance system, reframing it as a socio-institutional mechanism that influences decision-making, organisational performance, and institutional outcomes in emerging market economies.

His scholarship advances interdisciplinary understanding of:

• informal institutions and governance systems

• socio-cultural influences on organizations

• cultural frameworks in management and leadership

• institutional behaviour in emerging economies

Research Focus Areas 

• Informal governance systems and institutions

• Wasta in organisations and HRM systems

• Tribalism, social structure, and institutional behaviour

• Cultural dimensions and cross-cultural management

• Corruption, ethics, and governance systems

• Organisational behaviour in emerging markets

• Sustainability and institutional development

• Socio-cultural determinants of leadership and decision-making

Original Contributions

• Developed the Wasta Theory and a novel theoretical framework of Wasta as informal governance.

• Established tribalism as a measurable cultural and behavioural construct.

• Validated tribalism as a unique cultural dimension that was not captured by Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory.

• Integrated cultural cognition with institutional and organisational theory.

• Developed and validated the tribalism scale at the individual level.

• Advanced interdisciplinary models of corruption, ethics, and governance systems.

• Developed a theoretical framework for the relationship between COVID-19, stress, anxiety, and online cheating at colleges and universities.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between Wasta and corruption.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between Wasta and favouritism.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between oppression, personal oppression, economic oppression, and a country’s level of oppression.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between tribalism, gender inequality, ethnic fractionalization, indigenous population, group grievance and a country’s level of corruption.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between students’ well-being, education for sustainable development, and sustainable development.

• Developed the first conceptual framework for the relationship between Wasta, HRM practices, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurs’ sustainable development.

Selected Research Impact

His 2026 preprint, Wasta as Informal Governance: A Componential and Institutional Theory for Emerging Market Economies, has received early international academic engagement, ranking above 81% of ResearchGate publications released in the same year. His work has been cited across international research in governance, organisational behaviour, cultural studies, and management systems.

Dr. Abdelrahim’s work addresses critical challenges at the intersection of culture and governance. His research:

• Provides frameworks for understanding corruption in socio-cultural contexts

• Informs institutional reform and governance strategies

• Enhances organisational effectiveness in culturally complex environments

• Contributes to global discussions on sustainability, ethics, and public trust

Academic Affiliation

Dr. Abdelrahim is affiliated with Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, where he contributes to teaching and academic development in:

Organisational Behaviour, Strategic Management, Human Resource Management, Business Psychology, Business Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Business Ethics & Sustainability, Research Methodology, Corporate Governance, Marketing Principles, Introduction to Principles of Management, Quantitative Analysis, Qualitative Analysis, MBA & EMBA Thesis (Independent Research Supervision), International Business, Managing Strategy, Legal Environment of Business, Conflict & Business Negotiation. 

Academic Profiles

• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9PHgsNAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

• Scopus Author Profile: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57226182330

• ORCID Profile: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-3749-8880

• ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yousif-Abdelrahim-2

International Recognition

Dr. Abdelrahim is actively engaged in the global academic community through:

• Peer review and editorial contributions to international journals

• Conference presentations, session chair roles, and scientific committees

• Judging and evaluation roles with global organisations (e.g., QS)

• Contributions to accreditation and quality assurance processes aligned with AACSB standards

Selected Recognised Work

Understanding Tribes and Tribalism: The Overlooked Cultural Uniqueness, Measurement, and Corruption of Tribalism

Research publications and conference contributions focus on:

• Informal governance systems

• Cultural drivers of corruption

• Organisational behaviour in emerging markets

Global Engagement

Active in international research collaboration and academic exchange across Europe and the Middle East, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarship on cultural systems, governance, and institutional development.

Contact & Academic Profiles

Email: yabdelrahim@pmu.edu.sa; yaelrahim@gmail.com

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9PHgsNAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3749-8880

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousif-abdelrahim-b3997621a/

SSRN: https://papers.ssrn.com/Sol3/Cf_Dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=4425738