Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration
Major
Business Administration
Date of Defense
11-13-2024
Graduate Advisor
John Meriac, Ph.D., Chairperson
Committee
John Meriac, Ph.D., Chairperson
Matthew Taylor, Ph.D.
Brandon Ofem, Ph.D.
Abstract
This research examines the mechanisms that can be used to reduce unethical behaviors, as well as their influence on employee attitudes (e.g., trust, justice, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment). Using an experimental design, participants were exposed to varying levels of accountability, monitoring, and policy to examine their interaction effects on unethical behaviors and attitudes. Two significant interactions emerged when looking at the mechanism's influence on attitudes. Policy clarity had a significant main effect on employee justice perceptions, with vague policies reducing perceptions of justice. The interaction between clear policy and accountability significantly impacted justice perceptions, highlighting the value of accountability in reinforcing fair treatment. Two marginally significant interactions also emerged, offering further insight into the substitution effect of these mechanisms. First, the interaction between accountability and monitoring suggested that these mechanisms may serve as substitutes for one another in reducing unethical behavior. Specifically, the presence of monitoring compensated for the absence of accountability, and the presence of accountability diminished the need for monitoring. This suggests that organizations may only need to implement one of these mechanisms effectively to achieve similar outcomes. Second, the interaction between policy clarity and accountability marginally impacted job satisfaction. This finding implies that policy clarity, when reinforced by accountability, can encourage a sense of stability and motivation, contributing to improved employee satisfaction.
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Sara Marie, "Accountability for Unethicality: Monitoring, Policy, and Individual Attitudes" (2024). Dissertations. 1487.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1487
