Examining The Predictive Effect Of Interpersonal Conflict And Work Satisfaction On Civil Servant’s Ethical Workplace Behaviour

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate interpersonal conflict and work satisfaction as predictors of ethical workplace behaviour among civil servants, the study was guided with two hypotheses. A total of 135 participants were selected for the study using simple random and convenience sampling technique. The participants were all civil servants in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State. The participants comprised of 63 males and 87 females with age range from 20 to 50 years and mean age of 40.5, standard deviation of 5.5. Data was collected with relevant questionnaire and the study adopted correlational design. Multiple regression statistics was employed for data analysis. The result showed that interpersonal conflict significantly predicted ethical workplace behaviour (β = .325, t = 3.396, = .325, p<0.5). Therefore hypothesis one which stated that interpersonal conflicts would significantly predict ethical workplace behaviour among workers was accepted and also, work satisfaction significantly predicted ethical workplace behaviour at (β = .200, t = 2.093, p<0.5). Therefore, hypothesis two which stated that work satisfaction would significantly predict ethical workplace behaviour among workers was also accepted. The third hypothesis which stated that interpersonal conflict and work satisfaction would jointly predict ethical workplace behavior was also accepted. Based on the findings above, the researcher recommended that managers of organisations should take appropriate measures and actions to ameliorate employees’ perception of partiality and justice by implementing justice in distribution and procedure. Also, human resource managers should be aware of employees’ work satisfaction, be proactive and take decisions on interventions that will ensure commitment and involvement of employees.