The influence of Wasta on employees and organisations in Kuwait: exploring the impact on human resource management, knowledge sharing, innovation and organisational commitment

This thesis examines the influence of wasta on employees and organisations in Kuwait. Wasta is a set of personal networks based on family or connections in which power and influence is used to accomplish things. As wasta evolved, it became deeply rooted in Kuwait. For instance, it became a tool which people use to get recruited in any position, regardless of their qualification. It is considered as a family obligation, a technique for doing business, and a practice which people use to maintain one s status. To date, there has been little research on the influence of wasta within organisations in terms of human resource management (HRM) practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait. Consequently, the aim of this thesis is to address the research question: does wasta influence human resource management practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait? A mixed method sequential exploratory research design is utilised to examine the specified research question. The justification behind this approach is that both qualitative and quantitative strategies supplement each other by giving a more in-depth and complete picture of the topic. Based on a total of 343 individual responses, the outcomes identified with wasta in businesses are considerable, as it does not only impact employees performance, but also the entire organisation s performance. The findings revealed that wasta influences HRM practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait. In addition, the results of this study developed new models that fit within the context of this research and suggests several recommendations that could be developed to reduce the unwanted effects of wasta and improve employees as well as organisations performance. Consequently, this thesis provides a conceptual framework of what wasta is, how it is being executed, and ways in which it impacts employees and organisations in terms of the measured variables. It aims to deliver insight for citizens, employees, local and multi-national organisations, and the government in Kuwait about how the practice of wasta impacts performance, either positively or negatively. This thesis contributes to new knowledge within the field of business in the Middle East and provides a basis on which further research could be carried out. Therefore, this research will support and provide additional value to the minimum research that is available on wasta in Kuwait and worldwide.