The Role of Guanxi, Ubuntu, and Wasta in Shaping Workplace Leadership and Culture

2017 ◽  
pp. 54-75
Author(s):  
Anne Namatsi Lutomia ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Raghida Abdallah Yassine ◽  
Xiaoping Tong
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Leadership

Social networks are taking center stage in organizations for the ways they shape and inform workplace leadership. Hofstede's cultural dimensions and social capital provide a framework for enabling better cross-cultural discussion about leadership in general and understanding how leaders in globalized workplace settings tap onto existing cultural practices and values vis-à-vis social networks. In China, Kenya, and Lebanon, these cultural practices and values include Guanxi, Ubuntu, and Wasta, respectively. Responding to calls for more studies comparing social network and on cross-cultural leadership, this chapter seeks to examine how Guanxi, Ubuntu, and Wasta shape workplace leadership and culture in the three respective countries. It discusses leadership styles, reviews the way Guanxi, Ubuntu, and Wasta informs workplace leadership respectively and their intersections, generates a conceptual framework, offers recommendations, suggests future research possibilities, and provides implications for human resource development.

Organizational Social Capital: Ties Between HRD, Employee Voice, and CEOs

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise M. Cumberland ◽  
Meera Alagaraja ◽  
Brad Shuck ◽  
Sharon A. Kerrick
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Employee Voice ◽  
Voice Behavior ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Organizational Social Capital ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Growing employee voice increases the likelihood that employees will engage in discretionary efforts to share potentially useful information, express opinions, or concerns about work-related issues to their supervisors and other leaders in the organization. We develop a conceptual model and a series of propositions to examine and analyze the underlying mechanisms that enhance employee voice. Specifically, we identify linkages and connections between human resource development (HRD) practices, organizational social capital (OSC), and the role of CEOs as facilitating environmental or situational mechanisms that have implications on voice behavior. HRD can play a key role in helping employees foster social capital, leading to employee voice in the organization. When CEOs extend their existing internal social networks, and engage in conversations with workers, this dialogue serves as a visible artifact and reverberates across the organization. Our propositions move beyond framing employee-related voice outcomes as a result of either HRD practices or CEO influence. Rather, we postulate an outcome of their interdependent interactions. Implications for HRD research and practice are discussed.

Cross-Cultural Leadership

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-49
Author(s):  
Diğdem Eskiyörük
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Cultural Leadership ◽  
National Cultures ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Differentiation

This chapter aims to explain how the differences in national cultures have an impact on understanding the concept of leadership and leadership styles in an intercultural perspective. Leaders need to recognize the culture of their community and be aware of cultural differences. These cultural characteristics affect the behavior and attitudes of the leaders. Leaders need to understand the effects and possible consequences of these cultural differences at the organizational and managerial levels for effective management and organizational success. In this respect, the concept of leadership and the process of development of leadership are examined in a literature review. Following the analysis of leadership theories and leadership styles, the cultural dimensions of Hofstede are examined in the section of cultural differentiation and dimensions. Finally, national culture dimensions in cross-cultural leadership were examined.

Reversing the flow of short-term missions within a partnership model: Perceptual outcomes

2020 ◽  
pp. 009182962097237
Author(s):  
Simone Mulieri Twibell
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Partnership Model ◽  
And Function ◽  
Bidirectional Flow ◽  
The Church

Short-term missions provide opportunities for the formation of cross-cultural relationships and joint evangelistic endeavors. Scholars have challenged the typical unidirectional nature of short-term mission and partnership efforts, advocating for a more bidirectional flow of resources. This article analyzes the dynamics of reverse short-term missions with the goal of understanding their contributions from the perspective of the American hosts. The author suggests that reverse short-term missions bridge social capital across social networks and function as “networks of invigoration” by bringing information benefits to their hosts. These types of exchanges have the potential to help the American church reinterpret familiar experiences and see the mission of the church in a new way. Five perceptual outcomes are identified: alteration of perspectives; service opportunities for the hosts; renewal of spiritual commitments; first-hand exposure to a different culture; and contact with faith-mission models.

Social capital in the theory and research of LIS professionals in the light of the literature on the subject. Review of current knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
Rural Libraries ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to present the latest scholarly trends in the field of social capital in libraries, to review research concepts published by LIS professionals and to suggest further research possibilities in this area. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a review and critical analysis of literature associated with research on social capital in libraries to highlight its importance for the development of LIS and its impact on the functioning of environments linked with various types of libraries. The goal of literature analysis was to determine the current condition of research on social capital in libraries. The main trends were identified and the need for further qualitative analyses, which are missing at the moment, was confirmed. Findings It was determined that, so far, LIS professionals have focussed mainly on the role of municipal libraries in developing social capital, the problem of building trust, especially in immigrant circles and the impact of libraries on promoting a civil society. Academic libraries, rural libraries, organisational capital in libraries and individual social capital of librarians were a much less frequent subject of research. The role of libraries in developing social capital in educational (primary and secondary education) and professional (non-university professionals) circles is practically non-existent in research, and it will require in-depth studies and analyses in the coming years. Originality/value This paper constitutes a synthetic review of the latest research concepts concerning social capital in libraries. It identifies the most important research trends and areas that so far have not been explored and suggests research methods to help LIS professionals design future research in this area more effectively.

scholarly journals Invited Commentary: Social Cohesion, Depression, and the Role of Welfare States

2019 ◽  
Vol 189 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-357
Author(s):  
Mikael Rostila
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Welfare State ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
State Theory ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Neighborhood Disorder ◽  
Welfare Regimes ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract In this issue of the Journal, Baranyi et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2019;000(00):000–000) examine the longitudinal associations of perceived neighborhood disorder and social cohesion with depressive symptoms among persons aged 50 years or more in 16 different countries. An important contribution of their article is that they study how neighborhood-level social capital relates to depression in different welfare-state contexts. Although the authors provide empirical evidence for some significant differences between welfare states in the relationship between social capital and depression, they say little about potential explanations. In this commentary, I draw attention to welfare-state theory and how it could provide us with a greater understanding of Baranyi et al.’s findings. I also discuss the potential downsides of grouping countries into welfare regimes. I primarily focus on the associations between social cohesion and depression, as these associations were generally stronger than those for neighborhood disorder and depression. Finally, I provide some suggestions for future research within the field and discuss whether the findings could be used to guide policies aimed at increasing social cohesion and health.

scholarly journals Consequences of cultural practices on advertising: Rethinking the role of individual’s values versus social norms for cross-cultural research

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111
Author(s):  
Salman Saleem
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Cross Cultural Research

The study has contributed to the current debate on the significance of cultural referenced practices over self-reported values in the identification of culture (e.g., Fischer & Schwartz, 2011; Kirkman, Lowe, & Gibson, 2017). The study has examined whether there is a difference in the self-reported values versus cultural-referenced practices concerning masculinity and power distance. Also, which facet of masculinity and power distance, i.e., self-referenced and/or cultural referenced ratings predict the manifestation of such values in the advertising. The study has used a survey method and ask 200 respondents to report masculinity and power distance in their individual behavioural preference, in their social context and the manifestation of masculinity and power distance in advertising. The results show that self-reported and cultural-referenced rating of masculinity and power distance differ significantly. Moreover, the regression analysis shows that the culture-referenced masculinity and power distance predicts the reflection of respective values in advertising, but no such effect of self-reported values are found. Obtained results strengthen the argument that self-reported values did not identify the culture, instead, the normative values did identify the culture. Future international business and cross-cultural corporate governance research should consider the cultural practices of masculinity and power in their cross-cultural investigation.

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2014 ◽  
pp. 209-226
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2015 ◽  
pp. 1947-1962
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

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