Can leaders use informal networks ethically in networked societies? A qualitative investigation in the Lebanese industrial sector

Conference paper

Helal, R, Ali, S. and Shamieh, s 2024. Can leaders use informal networks ethically in networked societies? A qualitative investigation in the Lebanese industrial sector. 40th EGOS Colloquium, Milan 2024 Crossroads for Organizations: Time, Space, and People.
AuthorsHelal, R, Ali, S. and Shamieh, s
TypeConference paper
Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the use of informal networks; known as wasta, by leaders in the context of the collectivist societies of the Arab Middle East to answer the question; how can informal networks be used in an ethical way by leaders in networked societies? By addressing this question, we recognise the importance of context in assessing what is perceived to an ethical practice in leadership as such contributing to ethical leadership and informal networks literature. To achieve our aim, we adopted a qualitative interpretative methodology capitalizing on 18 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with industry leaders and managers in Lebanon. The findings highlight the significance of wasta as a construct of ethical leadership in collectivist societies of the Arab Middle East. Hence, we emphasize the contextual nature of ethical leadership and the importance of approaching it as a multidimensional process, rather than a set of characteristics.

KeywordsEthical leadership; Informal networks; Wasta; collectivist societies; Lebanon
Year2024
Conference40th EGOS Colloquium, Milan 2024 Crossroads for Organizations: Time, Space, and People
Web address (URL)https://www.egos.org/2024_milan/general_theme
Publication process dates
Deposited29 Jul 2024
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https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/q78qy/can-leaders-use-informal-networks-ethically-in-networked-societies-a-qualitative-investigation-in-the-lebanese-industrial-sector

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