ABSTRACT
This study assessed the impact of
religiosity on business ethics. The descriptive survey research design was
utilized in conducting the study. The stratified random ample method was used
to select the total numbers of 250 respondents used for the study. Data used
for the study were collected through the questionnaires. Four research
questions and four hypotheses were stated for the study. Employing the
correlation statistics, findings of the study indicated that significant
relationship exist between attendance in religious activities and building good
moral, the tested traders were significantly influenced by their religious
practice in their decision making, relationship and social activities. Result
further show that religion has significant influence on building expectation
and a significant relationship exists between religiosity and business ethics.
On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that religion should be integrated into the development agenda of
Nigeria, not as recipients of the country’s wealth, but as educators to
contribute to the industrial development of the country and that religious
leaders must continue to teach the accepted values to the members.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract vi
Table of Tables
vii
CHAPTER ONE-
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the
Study 1
1.2
Statement of the
Problem 3
1.3
Aims / Objective
of the Study 4
1.4
Relevant Research
Questions 5
1.5
Relevant Research
Hypotheses 5
1.6
Significance the
Study 6
1.7
Scope of the Study 6
1.8
Operational
Definition of Terms 6
End of Chapter
one References 8
CHAPTER TWO-
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Preamble 9
2.2 Theoretical
Framework of the Study 9
2.3 Conceptual
framework 14
2.4 Business
Ethics 17
2.5 Empirical
Review of Previous Work in the Subject of Study 27
End
of chapter two References 32
CHAPTER THREE-
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Preamble 34
3, 2 Research
Design 34
3, 3 Population
of the study 34
3.4 Sampling
Procedures and Sample size 34
3.5 Data
collection Instrument and Validation 35
3.6 Method
of Data analysis 35
3.7 Limitation
of the Methodology 35
CHAPTER FOUR- DATA
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Preamble 36
4.2 Presentation
and analysis of Data according to Research questions 43
4.3 Testing
of Hypotheses 48
4.4 Discussion
of Findings 51
End
of chapter four References 54
CHAPTER FIVE-
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Preamble 55
5.2 Summary 55
5.3 Conclusion
56
5.4 Recommendations 57
Bibliography 58
Appendix I 61
Appendix II 64
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
Ethics
has been one of the principal issues confronting both large and small
businesses for many years. While businesses are responsible for maximizing long-term
value for the
shareholders, they are
also expected to
enforce and adhere to certain ethical standards among others. Recently,
the Lagos State Government interest in this area is intensified due to
widespread media accounts of outbreaks of ethical failing and environmental
pollution at Ladipo market in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos state where
used auto-mobile spare parts of cars and engines are sold. Dishonesty on the market, unfair
pricing, tax evasion, unlimited competition, leadership tussles or wrangling
and environmental degradation is common practice and other acts of
ethical misconducts. Events such as
the closure of the market by the
state government and other practices
at Ladipo market as well as other
markets in Nigeria have shaken public confidence in used auto spare parts business. One then
tends to wonder what has to be done to assure ethical behaviors in the small
business environment such as Ladipo Market.
However,
religious belief has been considered as an appropriate grounding for business.
In essence, religions make valuable contributions to business ethics. Religions’ values, principles, and practices
give sense of responsibility, and guidance to the people of business world. It
is to be noted, however, that religions often build the basis for what is
considered right and wrong through the values they embody. Besides, religion
produces both formal and informal norms and provides people with a
freedom/constraint duality by prescribing behaviors within some acceptable
boundaries (Ufomadu, 2014). Such norms, values, and beliefs are often codified
into a religious code such as the Bible or the Koran. In Christian religions,
for instance, the Ten Commandments provide a broad basis of codified ethical
rules that believing Christians must follow in order to actualize what they
believe in (e.g., salvation). In turn, through daily exposure to norms,
customs, laws, scripts, and practices religions impart societal members with
values and produce expectation bonds or ‘‘reciprocal expectations of
predictability’’ that eventually become taken for granted. Such values often
provide guides for what are considered ethical behaviors for most of the
world’s religions (Parboteeah, Hoegl and Cullen, 2008 citing Fisher, 2001).
Nevertheless, in societies where one or few religions are dominant, the
overarching core values of these religions are likely to be mirrored in secular
values of society (codified law or non-codified social norms), which regulate
everyday activity and ethical behavior.
Moreover,
research evidences abound in literature that reported the relationship between
religiosity and business ethics although there are mixed conclusions on the
relationship (Okafor, 2010). Such mixed results are mostly due to
methodological and conceptual limitations. This study is a deviation from
earlier research studies on religion and business ethics in that it employs a
multidimensional approach which was missing from earlier research studies.
Undeniably,
Nigerians are religious people. The way people conduct businesses
without adherence to their religious faith calls for a re-examination of the
role of religious sanctions in checkmating dishonesty on the market,
fair pricing and business relations.
Most
undeniably, one of the biggest social and economic struggles in Nigeria, as
well as in the rest of Africa which is in
need of urgent attention and action, is the moral
decay taking place, a lack of social
responsibility, and the universal politeness among humanity, and evidently
business ethics (Ogundele, Hassan, Idris, Adelakan and Iyiegbuniwe. 2010). In
Nigeria, in spite of good standard value that religions promote, there is a
prevalent shortage of commitment to ethical behaviour in the small business
environment, which is alarming as a result of its extent. Since 1997,
and even up
to today, Nigeria
has been dubbed
as one of
the most fraudulent
and corrupt countries in the world.
In fact, in
2001, Nigeria was
listed second only
to Bangladesh, as
the most corrupt
and fraudulent country in the world – which is a dubious honour indeed
(Ogundele et al., 2010). This research study, therefore, seeks to assess the
relationship between business ethics and religion, using selected auto- spares
parts dealers in Ladipo Mushin business environment where research study seems
not to have covered.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
We live in age of innovation, growth of
free markets, and world economy. New government authorities, world’s business
leaders and up-to-date technologies being players on global scene form business
relations and set standards throughout world-wide business communication. More
civilizations have started cooperating together creating one globalized
communication system. Nevertheless, during creating the one universal system of
business communication each civilization follows its unique philosophy of life
understanding and usually this understanding of life is being formed by
religion. With increasing urgency, market and social forces are
also rewriting the roles and responsibilities of business. Modern businesses
are expected to be responsible stewards of community resources working towards
the growth and success of both their companies and their communities. We are
convinced that markets become free or remain free if their players are
responsible and respect the basic values of honesty, reliability, fairness and
self-discipline being basic of their business ethics. Most people involved in
business sector – grading from a small business owner to employee, or even CEO
of a multinational – eventually face ethical or moral dilemmas at the
workplace. The public faith and
confidence in business owners have dropped. This is as a result of different
fraudulent practices perpetrated by business owners such as cheating, inflating
cost of purchases, tax evasion, un-healthy competition and lack of community
services or social responsibility etc.
In Nigeria, in spite of good standard value that religions promote,
there is a prevalent shortage of commitment to ethical behaviour in the small
business environment, which is alarming as a result of its extent. Since 1997,
and even up
to today, Nigeria
has been dubbed
as one of
the most fraudulent
and corrupt countries in the world.
As result there is lack of trust in Nigeria business environment
regarding to the way business owners deal with their customers or public
generally.
1.3 Aim
/ Objective of the Study
The
study generally seeks to assess the relationship between business ethics and
religion. Specifically, it is set to:
1.
Assess the
frequency of religious attendance of business men and women at Ladipo Market
Mushin Lagos State.
2.
Examine religious
influence on business men’s decision making, relationship and social activities.
3.
Find out if
business men’s life expectations are built on religious faith.
4.
Assess the
relationship between business ethics and religiosity.
14. Relevant Research Questions
The
following questions will guide this study.
1.
How often do
business men and women at Ladipo Market Mushin attend religious activities?
2.
To what extent
does religiosity influence business men and women’s decision making,
relationship and social activities?
3.
Find out if
business men and women’s life expectations are built on religious faith.
4.
Assess the
relationship between business ethics and religiosity.
15. Relevant
Hypotheses
The
following null hypotheses are tested in this study with empirical data.
Ho 1: Religious attendance does not have any significant
influence on moral behavior.
H02: There
Will there be no significant influence of religiosity on good decision making,
relationship and social activities.
H03:
There will be no significant
relationship between religious faith and building positive expectation in
individual.
H04:
There will be no significant
relationship between business ethics and religiosity.
1.5 Significance
of the Study
This
study has implication for promoting business good ethical conduct in Nigeria
business environment. It identifies the impact of religious faith in solving
unethical business practices and documents the present impact of business
ethics on religion, especially the auto- spare parts business environment. This
research study will have to benefit businesses, the general public and the
country. Through this research study, business individuals will enjoy improved
customers’ relationship. It will also improve positive public image, and
financial benefits etc. It will have to add to literature in the existing
field.
1.6 Scope
of the Study
This
study seeks to examine the relationship between business ethics and religion.
It will cover 250 business men carrying out auto- spare part businesses in
Ladipo Mushin, .Lagos because of time and resources. Obtaining relevant
materials also poised some constraints.
1.7 Operational
Definition of Terms
The
following terms are operationally defined:
1.
Ethic:
Ethics is about making choices that may not always feel good or seem like they
benefit a person
but, are the
“right” choices to
make. They are
choices that are
examples of “model citizens” and examples of the golden
rules: don’t hurt, don’t steal, don’t lie or one of the most famous, do
unto others as
you would want
them to do
to you.
2.
Business Ethics: The
recognition and implementation of commonly agreed upon standards of conduct
that ensures that the business will not impact its stakeholders
negatively. In simpler terms, one can
see business ethics as what is regarded as right and wrong or good and bad
human behaviour in a business setting.
3.
Religion: Religion is a collection of cultural systems,
belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and,
sometimes, to moral values.
4.
Religious Practice:
The exercise of faith in line with an accepted lay down rules and regulation.
Click “DOWNLOAD NOW” below to get the complete Projects
FOR QUICK HELP CHAT WITH US NOW!
+(234) 0814 780 1594
Login To Comment