Research Impact

                       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

Research Impact

Abdelrahim, Y. (2026). Wasta as a Cognitive Model: Rethinking Justice, Responsibility, and Decision-Making. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science (APS) Annual Convention, Barcelona, Spain. "Wasta as Informal Governance: A Componential and Institutional Theory for Emerging Market Economies ranks above 92% of research items published in 2026 on ResearchGate by Research Interest Score." 

Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim’s research generates demonstrable impact across academic, institutional, and policy domains through the development of original frameworks explaining how informal socio-cultural systems shape governance, organisational behaviour, and corruption.

His work combines theoretical innovation, empirical research, and interdisciplinary application, contributing to both scholarly advancement and real-world problem-solving.

Dr. Yousif Abdelrahim’s research on Wasta, informal governance, and cultural systems has attracted growing international scholarly attention. His 2026 preprint on SSRN (Social Science Research Network) and OSF (the Open Science Framework) ( SocArXiv) depositories, Wasta as Informal Governance: A Componential and Institutional Theory for Emerging Market Economies, ranked above 81% of ResearchGate publications released in the same year, reflecting strong early academic engagement with his original theoretical contributions. The Wasta study introduces a novel multidisciplinary framework that conceptualises Wasta as a form of informal governance operating within emerging market economies. By integrating perspectives from institutional theory, organisational behaviour, governance studies, and cultural systems research, the work advances a broader understanding of how informal social mechanisms influence organisational practices, decision-making processes, and institutional environments.

Dr Abdelrahim’s broader body of research bridges management, governance, organisational behaviour, cultural values, and informal institutional systems, contributing to contemporary discussions on leadership, ethics, corruption, social structures, and emerging market dynamics.

Impact Indicators

• 400+ citations across major academic databases

• 1,500+ downloads of research papers (SSRN)

• Peer-reviewed publications across international journals and conferences

• Authorship of a scholarly book introducing a measurable framework of tribalism

(See full metrics below)

Academic & Scholarly Impact

Dr. Abdelrahim’s research has contributed to advancing knowledge in:

• Informal governance systems

• Cultural drivers of corruption

• Organisational behaviour in emerging markets

His book, Understanding Tribes and Tribalism, introduces one of the first structured approaches to operationalising tribalism as a measurable construct, addressing a longstanding gap in cross-cultural and organisational research.

His work has been disseminated internationally through conferences across Europe and the Middle East, contributing to global academic dialogue in management and social sciences.

Original Contributions of Major Significance

Dr. Abdelrahim has made original contributions of major significance through the development of new theoretical and empirical frameworks:

1. Tribalism as a Measurable Cultural Construct

• Established tribalism as a quantifiable and analytically rigorous concept

• Developed frameworks enabling empirical study of its impact on corruption and organisational behaviour

• Extended cultural analysis beyond traditional models, including those associated with Geert Hofstede

2. Wasta as Informal Governance (Theoretical Framework)

• Developed a novel theory positioning Wasta as a structured system of informal governance

• Reframed Wasta from a cultural or ethical issue into a governance mechanism

• Provided a framework linking:

  • decision-making

  • institutional performance

  • corruption and inequality

3. Interdisciplinary Integration

• Bridged multiple disciplines, including:

  • organisational behaviour

  • sociology and informal institutions

  • cultural psychology

  • governance and public policy

• Provided tools for:

  • Analysing hiring and organisational practices

  • Understanding corruption mechanisms

  • informing institutional and policy design

Policy & Institutional Impact

Dr. Abdelrahim’s research provides practical insights for policymakers and institutions, particularly in emerging markets:

• Demonstrates why purely legal anti-corruption approaches often fail

• Highlights the need to align formal regulations with socio-cultural systems

• Supports the development of context-sensitive governance strategies

Organisational Impact

His frameworks enable organisations to:

• Identify informal practices affecting fairness and meritocracy

• Improve decision-making and governance structures

• Enhance:

  • innovation

  • employee engagement

  • organisational performance

International Recognition & Scholarly Service

Dr. Abdelrahim’s impact is further evidenced through international academic engagement:

• Peer reviewer and editorial contributor

• Conference presenter, session chair, and scientific committee member

• Judge and evaluator for global initiatives, including QS (Quacquarelli Symonds)

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

Recognition & Awards

• Award recognition at the 35th Elets World Education Summit (Dubai, 2026), highlighting the applied relevance of his work in education and sustainability.

Citations & Downloads

• Google Scholar: 300+ citations

• Scopus: 190+ citations

• ResearchGate: 100+ citations

• SSRN: 1,500+ downloads across multiple papers

(Direct links available in the Research Profiles section)