PREDICTING UNETHICAL PRO-ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR FROM ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION AND JOB INSECURITY: A STUDY OF CONTRACT EMPLOYEES
Abstract
This study investigated the predictive influence of organizational participation and job insecurity on unethical pro-organizational behaviour (UPB) among contract employees in Nigeria. UPB refers to unethical actions undertaken by employees with the intention of benefiting their organization, such as misrepresenting information, concealing errors, or manipulating performance metrics. Guided by Social Exchange Theory, Conservation of Resources Theory, and Psychological Ownership Theory, the study employed a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 302 contract employees drawn from various organizations Data were collected using standardized scales: the Unethical Pro-Organizational Behaviour Scale (Umphress et al., 2010; a = 0.87 ) the Organizational Participation Scale (Kahnweiler & Thompson, 2000; a = 0.89 ) and the Job Insecurity Scale (4-item measure; a = 0.65 ) . Correlation and regression analyses revealed that organizational participation was a significant positive predictor of UPB beta = 0.235 p < 0.01 ) indicating that employees with higher involvement in organizational decisionmaking more likely to justify unethical actions for organizational gain. In contrast, job insecurity did not significantly predict UPB ( beta = 0.025 . p = 0.657 ) The two predictors jointly accounted for 8% of the variance in UPB O * R ^ 2 = 0.08 F(5.296) = 5.137 p< 01). These findings underscore the paradoxical role of organizational participation, which, while fostering inclusion and identification, may also increase employees' propensity to cross ethical boundaries in favor of organizational goals. The study concludes that ethical training, transparent leadership, and strong ethical climates are essential to balance participation with accountability. It contributes to the literature by contextualizing UPB within Nigeria's precarious employment environment and provides practical implications for managing contract labor ethically.
Word count: 249
Keywords: organizational participation, job insecurity, unethical pro-organizational behaviour, contract employees, Nigeria
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