ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR OF OFFICE MANAGERS IN PUBLIC POLYTECHNIC, SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA
Abstract
Ethical behaviour is a critical component of effective management in public polytechnics, where accountability, integrity, and transparency are paramount. Despite its importance, ethical lapses among office managers such as nepotism, misuse of office resources, falsification of records, and disregard for confidentiality continue to undermine institutional effectiveness in South-west Nigeria. This study investigated the influence of organizational culture on the ethical behaviour of office managers in public polytechnics, South-west Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised office managers (secretaries) in public polytechnics across South-west Nigeria, including Yaba College of Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Polytechnic Isan-Ekiti, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ogun State, Federal Polytechnic Ayede Oyo State, and The Polytechnic Ibadan. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive survey design and inferential statistics, including multiple regression analysis, were employed to analyse the collected data. The findings revealed a very high level of ethical behaviour among office managers in public polytechnics, South-west Nigeria with a Mean of (3.46). Organizational culture, measured across clan, adhocracy, hierarchy, and market cultural dimensions, was found to have a significant influence on the ethical behaviour of office managers with a Mean of (3.42). The study concluded that organizational culture are critical determinants of ethical behaviour among office managers in public polytechnics. It is recommended that institutional administrators strengthen ethical organizational cultures, to enhance the ethical conduct and professional effectiveness of office managers in public polytechnics, South-west Nigeria.
