Abstract
This conceptual study explores Mahsobya, a culturally rooted informal workplace phenomenon prevalent in Arab organizations. Situated within Patronage Theory and Social Exchange Theory, Mahsobya is conceptualized as a reciprocal and hierarchical practice driven by cultural norms of loyalty and obligation, often emerging to navigate bureaucratic inefficiencies and organizational politics. It highlights the interplay between informal structures and formal structures, emphasizing how Mahsobya adapts to and influences organizational dynamics. This study presents testable propositions addressing Mahsobya’s typologies, antecedents, outcomes, and boundary conditions, showcasing the originality of its contribution in proposing a novel definition and theoretical framework for understanding Mahsobya. Future research directions emphasize testing the proposed framework through qualitative and quantitative methods, exploring Mahsobya’s typologies, antecedents, and outcomes, and investigating its implications for workplace dynamics, particularly its impact on recruitment, promotions, and task assignments. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of informal structures in Arab workplaces.