Religiousness and Business Ethical Behaviour of SMEs Owner- Managers in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation
Date
2016
Authors
Olayiwola, P.O.
Sulaimon, P.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
The study examines the extent to which religiousness affect business ethical behaviour of small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) owner-managers in Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to
investigate the extent to which religiousness affect business ethical behaviours of SMEs owner-managers
in Nigeria. The survey research design was used in this study to gather the data used. The primary source of data
was used, 144 copies of structured questionnaire were retrieved out of 200 copies administered to the
SMEs owner-managers to elicit responses relating to the level of their religiousness measured from three
dimensions (involvement, influence and hope) and organisational business ethical behaviour also
measured from three dimensions (economic consideration, relationship with employees and relationship
with suppliers and contractors). Mean and spearman rho correlations were the analytical tools used to
assess the responses and test hypotheses. Results showed a weak significant relationship between
religious influence and employees' relationship, while no significant relationship was found among other
variables. The mean responses showed extremely high involvement in religious influence and hope.
Results also revealed a moderate mean score for all the three dimensions of organisational business ethical
behaviour. Based on these results we conclude that religiousness does not determine business ethical
behaviour of the owner-managers. The implications of findings are that, religious teachings do not reflect
in day-to-day activities of the SMEs' owner-managers, hence religious leaders need to do more to ensure
members adhere strictly to religious teachings. The study recommends that society should look beyond
religion in order to promote appropriate business ethical environment and government should strengthen
the various regulatory institutions established to maintain a safer business environment
Description
Keywords
Religiousness , Religious Involvement , Religious Hope , Ethical Behaviour , Owner- managers , Small and Medium Enterprises , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Business and economics::Business studies
Citation
Olayiwola, P.O. and Sulaimon, A.A. (2016). Religiousness and Business Ethical Behaviour of SMEs Owner- Managers in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation. Abuja Journal of Business and Management 2, 5 [1-11]