Narrative inquiry: A proposed methodology for Wasta research

Wasta is a controversial subject that has received increasing research interest in recent years, including exploratory studies seeking to define its nature and scope and to understand why people use it. This article explores the potential applicability of using narrative inquiry in wasta research. It is premised on that intuitive assumption that analyzing individuals' experiences and perceptions of phenomena enable an “insider view” and a deeper understanding of the subject under investigation. This is particularly apt for emerging areas of research, such as wasta , which has not been deeply studied in terms of how it manifests and how it is perceived among people and organizations. It is suggested that narrative inquiry offers a new way to develop knowledge about wasta , which contributes to simplifying the academic understanding of the phenomenon. It is useful in uncovering characteristics of wasta that would have otherwise remained hidden when using other methodological approaches.