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The Stigma of Wasta: The Effect of Wasta on Perceived Competence and Morality

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Amin Mohamed

    (Faculty of Management Technology, The German University in Cairo)

  • Hadia Hamdy

    (Faculty of Management Technology, The German University in Cairo)

Abstract

Wasta is an Arabic word that means the use of social connections to obtain benefits that otherwise would not be provided. Wasta plays a very important role in securing of employment in Arab countries. This paper attempts to study the attribution effects of wasta on perceptions of competence and morality. The main hypotheses is that those that use wasta to obtain employment will be perceived as incompetent and immoral irrespective of their true competence and morality. Data gathered from an Egyptian sample supports the hypotheses. Thus, we conclude that wasta may tarnish the image or stigmatize its user.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Amin Mohamed & Hadia Hamdy, 2008. "The Stigma of Wasta: The Effect of Wasta on Perceived Competence and Morality," Working Papers 5, The German University in Cairo, Faculty of Management Technology.
    • Handle: RePEc:guc:wpaper:5
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    File URL: http://mgt.guc.edu.eg/wpapers/005mohamed_hamdy2008.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Moustafa, Khaled, 2018. "Promoting an academic culture in the Arab world," arabixiv.org bcp5f, Center for Open Science.
    2. Pawan Budhwar & Vijay Pereira & Kamel Mellahi & Sanjay Kumar Singh, 2019. "The state of HRM in the Middle East: Challenges and future research agenda," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(4), pages 905-933, December.
    3. Barnett, Andy & Yandle, Bruce & Naufal, George, 2013. "Regulation, trust, and cronyism in Middle Eastern societies: The simple economics of “wasta”," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 41-46.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nepotism; attribution theory;

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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