“…Some specialists even went so far as to coin it as a way of life (Al‐Ramahi, 2008; Cunningham & Sarayrah, 1993; Hutchings & Weir, 2006b). Thus, it comes as no shock that Arab nationals are quite used to resorting to wasta when it comes to any HRM practice, most notably recruitment and promotion (Afiouni, Ruël, & Schuler, 2014; Aladwan, Bhanugopan, & Fish, 2014; Alsarhan, 2021; Al‐Twal, 2022; Al‐Twal & Aladwan, 2021; Branine & Analoui, 2006; Budhwar & Mellahi, 2006; El‐Said & McDonald, 2001; Ezzedeen & Swiercz, 2001; Harbi, Thursfield, & Bright, 2017; Hutchings & Weir, 2006b; Loewe et al, 2008; Mohamed & Mohamad, 2011; Mohammad & Darwish, 2022; Sfeir, 2022; Tlaiss & Elamin, 2016; Tlaiss & Kauser, 2011; Valax & Alsarhan, 2021). Hence the difficulty to challenge the status quo, as many individuals (and even families and tribes) who benefit from the prevalence of wasta are not likely to be eager to give up their gains and privileges (Ta'Amnha et al, 2016).…”