Comparative analysis of the conceptions of favoritism (torpil) and wasta in context of organizational trust and justice

The purpose of this study is explore favoritism (torpil) and wasta as being the widespread practices of favoristism in different contexts. Both torpil and wasta are generally percieved negatively for organizations. In this study torpil and wasta explored in the contexts of Turkey and Suudi Arabia respectively. Each concept has been described within the theoratical background based on organizational trust and justice. Fort he purpose of the study, academics point of views are explored. Empirical material of the study are generated by using semi-structured interviews in both countries. The results of the study revealed that as being the same concepts in different contexts both torpil and wasta have negative connotations, and it is found that perceptions on these concepts are determined as a result of socio-cultural factors. Turkish participants views on the concepts is relatively more certain than their Suudi counterparts, in Turkey political favoritism and in Suudi Arabia nepotism are found to be more widespred.