Role of locus of control and perceived effort-reward imbalance in attitude toward unethical work behavior

Abstract

Understanding what could be responsible for unethical behaviour in population of uniformed job remains an issue of concern in Nigeria. In view of this, we investigated the role of locus of control and effort-reward imbalance in attitude towards unethical work behavior among members of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria. It was a survey study that adopted ex-post facto research design to collect data from two hundred (n=200) members of FRSC at Oyo sector command and its component units in Ibadan. The questionnaire used comprised locus of control, perceived effort-reward imbalance, attitude towards unethical work behaviour and demographic variables. Multiple regression and t-test for independent measures were computed to test three hypotheses. Locus of control and effort-reward imbalance jointly predicted unethical work behaviour F(2, 197) = p <.05; R2= .36); by accounting for about 36% variation in unethical work behaviour of participants. Locus of control (β = .42; t = 7.29; p <.05) and effort-reward imbalance (β = .36; t = 6.18; p <.05) independently predicted unethical work behaviour. There was no significant sex difference in unethical work behavior of members of FRSC (t = 0.81; df = 198; p >.05). Conclusively, unethical work behaviour among members of FRSC is a function of how they believe they are not in control and perception of presence of effort-reward imbalance. We recommend that intervention for reducing unethical work behaviour in these men and women should be designed toward making them responsible for this behaviour and ensuring fairness in rewarding-efforts relationship.

Keywords: Unethical behaviour, locus of control, effort-reward imbalance, gender.