My work focuses on an often unseen yet powerful force that shapes behavior in organizations and societies: Networks and the practice of networking. As social beings, humans naturally seek connection, but how these connections are formed and maintained varies significantly across contexts and cultures. I study how networking is practiced in different cultural contexts and how it influences managerial decision-making, leadership behavior, and access to opportunity in both business and society.

What fascinates me is the dual - and often ambivalent - nature of networking. On one hand, it can foster trust, sociability and solidarity, and enables business in contexts where formal institutions are weak or ambiguous. On the other hand, it can reinforce exclusivity, establish gatekeeping mechanisms, and perpetuate inequality. My research is driven by this ethical tension: How can we build and sustain social ties in ways that promote fairness, transparency, and inclusion?

Beyond academia, I aim to contribute to a broader conversation about equity and access. Informal networks aren’t inherently good or bad — They are profoundly human. But understanding their role and mechanisms is essential if we want to build more inclusive and ethically grounded organizations, societies, and communities.