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

Ahmed Amin Mohamed () and Hadia Hamdy ()
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Ahmed Amin Mohamed: Faculty of Management Technology, The German University in Cairo
Hadia Hamdy: Faculty of Management Technology, The German University in Cairo

No 5, Working Papers from The German University in Cairo, Faculty of Management Technology

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.

Keywords: Nepotism; attribution theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 9 pages
Date: 2008-01
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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