Unethical Practices in Tanzania Public Universities: Does Workload Matter?

Nivad H. Mwilongo; Denis Kamugisha; Zuena Kilugwe

doi:10.51867/scimundi.4.2.9

Authors

Nivad H. Mwilongo Mzumbe University, Mzumbe-Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7625-3668
Denis Kamugisha Mzumbe University, Mzumbe-Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5138-7954
Zuena Kilugwe Mzumbe University, Mzumbe-Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4052-7619

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/scimundi.4.2.9

Keywords:

Public Administration, Governance and Ethics

Abstract

Globally, the operations of universities rely on workload distribution. The extent to which the workload shouldered by employees is excessive or insufficient has implications for ethical behaviour and well-being in academic careers. This paper examined the effect of workload on unethical practices in Tanzanian public universities. Karasek's Job Demand-Control Model served as the foundation for the study. The quantitative research approach was utilized, and questionnaires were used for data gathering. The study adopted a correlational research design. The study gathered data from three public universities intending to reach 245 respondents sampled through stratified sampling who were administered questionnaires, and only a total of 209 respondents completed it. The collected data were considered for analysis through descriptive and inferential statistics. Meanwhile, STATA MP version 17 was used for analysis to conduct the multivariate regression model. The finding revealed workload has a significant positive effect on unethical practices, indicating that both excessive and insufficient workload contribute to unethical behaviour among academic staff. The study concluded that although workload in higher learning institutions is a lifeblood of curriculum implementation, it is not fairly distributed and thus affects both individual and organizational operations. Therefore, the study recommends that the universities should play a crucial role in developing and implementing internal workload policies that link with academic integrity to foster high-quality services in university operations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbasi, T. F. (2015). Impact of Work Overload on Stress , Job Satisfaction , and Turnover Intentions with Moderating Role of Islamic Work Ethics. Management Studies and Economic Systems, 2(1), 27-37. https://doi.org/10.12816/0018080 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12816/0018080

Aldino, N. H., & Franksiska, R. (2021). Examining the impact of habit, workload, and work environment to work stress on millennial generations. International Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting Research (IJEBAR), 5(3), 697-710.

Ballet, K., & Kelchtermans, G. (2009). Struggling with workload: Primary teachers' experience of intensification. Teaching and Teacher Education, 25(8), 1150-1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2009.02.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2009.02.012

Black, W., & Babin, B. J. (2019). Multivariate data analysis: Its approach, evolution, and impact. In B. J. Babin & M. Sarstedt (Eds.), The great facilitator (pp. 121-130). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06031-2_16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06031-2_16

Boß, L., Lehr, D., Reis, D., Vis, C., Riper, H., Berking, M., & Ebert, D. D. (2016). Reliability and Validity of Assessing User Satisfaction With Web-Based Health Interventions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(8), e234. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5952

Brady, K. J. S., Ni, P., Sheldrick, R. C., Trockel, M. T., Shanafelt, T. D., Rowe, S. G., Schneider, J. I., & Kazis, L. E. (2020). Describing the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment symptoms associated with Maslach Burnout Inventory subscale scores in US physicians: An item response theory analysis. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes, 4, 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-020-00204-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-020-00204-x

Buchanan, E. A., & Hvizdak, E. E. (2009). Online survey tools: Ethical and methodological concerns of human research ethics committees. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 4(2), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.1525/jer.2009.4.2.37 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/jer.2009.4.2.37

Calais, D. (1985). Ethical Violations Resulting from Excessive Workloads in Legal Aid Offices: Who Should Bear the Responsibility for Preventing Them? Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, 16(3).

Cleaton-Jones, P. (2012). Applications and secretariat workload at the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) 2002-2011: A case study. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 5(1), 38-44.

Clemons, J. (2020). Investigating work engagement and affective commitment through a multi-dimensional work underload scale, mediated by work-related boredom (Publication No. 1028) [Master's thesis, California State University, San Bernardino]. Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1028

Cooper, G. (2018). Factors affecting teacher retention: Qualitative investigation. Social Science in Government, March, 1-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.6c2s2m

https://doi.org/10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.6c2s2m

Dadkhah-Tehrani, M., & Adib-Hajbaghery, M. (2022). The relationship between workload and adherence to professional codes of ethics among a sample of Iranian nurses. Clinical Ethics, 17(3), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.1177/14777509211040183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14777509211040183

Danner, A., Lee, A. M., Juay, T. C., Weibiao, Z., & Cheng, N. C. (2018). Suggested Best Practices for Teaching Workload Allocation (A Teaching Academy Research Project, National University of Singapore).

Dhal, H. B., Bhatt, V., & Vora, H. (2022). Investigating the mediating role of perceived culture, role ambiguity, and workload on workplace stress with moderating role of education in a financial services organization. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(6), 9233-9246.

De Clercq, D., Haq, I. U., & Azeem, M. U. (2019). Time-related work stress and counterproductive work behavior: Invigorating roles of deviant personality traits. Personnel Review, 48(7), 1756-1781. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-07-2018-0241 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-07-2018-0241

Fernet, C., Guay, F., Senécal, C., & Austin, S. (2012). Predicting intraindividual changes in teacher burnout: The role of perceived school environment and motivational factors. Teaching and Teacher Education, 28(4), 514-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2011.11.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2011.11.013

Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage Publications Limited.

Fournier, P., Brun, J., Sylvie Montreeuil, Bilodeau, C., & Villa, J. (2011). Exploratory Study to Identify Workload Factors that have an Impact on Health and Safety - A Case Study in the Service Sector. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/exploratory-study-identify-workload-factors-have-impact-health-and-safety

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2016). IBM SPSS Statistics 23 Step by Step (14th Editi). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315545899 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315545899

Gonzales, M., Guimary, F., & Gabunilas, L. (2022). Teacher's workload and well-being and their implication to learners' academic performance. Sci. Int.(Lahore), 34(1), 47-51.

Grobelna, A. (2021). Emotional exhaustion and its consequences for hotel service quality: The critical role of workload and supervisor support. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, 30(4), 395-418. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2021.1841704 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2021.1841704

Hewett, M. (2022). Ethics and toxic high-workload work environments. British Journal of General Practice, 72(718), 226-227. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp22X719333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp22X719333

Jerrim, J., & Sims, S. (2020). Teacher workload and well-being: New international evidence from the OECD TALIS study [Working paper]. UCL Institute of Education. https://johnjerrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/working_paper_workload_wellbeing_november_2020.pdf

Kain, J., & Jex, S. (2010). Karasek's (1979) job demands-control model: A summary of current issues and recommendations for future research. Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, 8(1979), 237-268. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3555(2010)0000008009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3555(2010)0000008009

Kanwal, A., Rafiq, S., & Afzal, A. (2023). Impact of Workload on Teachers' Efficiency and Their Students' Academic Achievement At the University Level. Gomal University Journal of Research, 39(02), 131-146. https://doi.org/10.51380/gujr-39-02-02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51380/gujr-39-02-02

Kish-Gephart, J. J., Harrison, D. A., & Treviño, L. K. (2010). Bad Apples, Bad Cases, and Bad Barrels: Meta-Analytic Evidence About Sources of Unethical Decisions at Work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(1), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017103

Mackenzie, S. B., Podsakoff, P. M., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2011). Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article: Construct Measurement and Validation Procedures in MIS and Behavioral Research: Integrating New and Existing Techniques1. MIS Quarterly, 35(2), 293-334. https://doi.org/10.2307/23044045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/23044045

Mwilongo, N. H., Kamugisha, D., & Kilugwe, Z. (2024). Research and publication at crossroads: Exploring the catalysts of ethical misconducts of scholarly work. Social Science, 15(3), 914-922. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i5.3394 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i5.3394

Mwita, K. (2022a). Factors to consider when choosing data collection methods. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 11(5), 532-538. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i5.1842 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i5.1842

Mwita, K. (2022b). Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research in social science studies. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 11(6), 618-625. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i6.1920 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i6.1920

Mwita, K., Kinunda, S., Obwolo, S., & Mwilongo, N. (2023). Soft skills development in higher education institutions: Students' perceived role of universities and students' self-initiatives in bridging the soft skills gap. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 12(3), 505-513. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i3.2435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i3.2435

Mwita, K. M., Mwilongo, N. H., & Mwamboma, I. (2024). The role of soft skills, technical skills and academic performance on graduate employability. Social Science, 13(5), 767-776. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i5.3457 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i5.3457

Mwita, K. M., Mwoka, D. D., & Mwakasangula, E. (2023). The Impact of Organisational Culture on Turnover Intentions Among Lecturers in Tanzania's Public Universities. East Africa Journal of Social and Applied Sciences, 5(1), 80-97.

Mwita, K., & Mrema, G. (2023). The Influence of Transformational and Transactional Leadership on Organisational Performance: A Case of a Higher Education Institution in Tanzania. International Journal Of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (IJHESS), 2(5), 1779-1789. https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v2i5.477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v2i5.477

Osborne, J. W. (2017). Regression and linear modelling: Best practices and modern methods. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071802724 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071802724

Park, C. (2017). In other (people's) words: Plagiarism by university students-literature and lessons. Academic Ethics, 28(5), 525-542. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315263465-42 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315263465-42

Rumschlag, K. E. (2017). Teacher burnout: A quantitative analysis of emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization. International Management Review, 13(1), 22.

Schaufeli, W., & Salanova, M. (2013). Burnout, Boredom and Engagement in the Workplace. An Introduction to Contemporary Work Psychology, 291-320. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394259564.ch12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394259564.ch12

Schunk, D. H. (2023). Self-regulation of self-efficacy and attributions in academic settings. In Self-regulation of learning and performance. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203763353-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203763353-4

Smith, A. P. (2019). Student Workload, Wellbeing and Academic Attainment. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1107(October), 35-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32423-0_3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32423-0_3

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2021). Exploring Multivariate Statistics. In Research Methods in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management (pp. 233-250). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315181158-21

Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach's alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53-55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd DOI: https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd

TCU. (2019). Handbook for standards and guidelines for University Education in Tanzania. Tanzania Commission for Universities.

Ujir, H., Salleh, S. F., Marzuki, A. S. W., Hashim, H. F., & Alias, A. A. (2020). Teaching workload in 21st century higher education learning setting. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 9(1), 221-226. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v9i1.20419 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v9i1.20419

Utari, T., Wediawati, T., & Althalets, F. (2022). The effect of stress and workload on employee performance in the division maintenance department PT Indominco Mandiri In Bontang. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 6(December), 101-105.

Verwaeren, B., & Nijstad, B. A. (2022). What I do or how I do it-The effect of accountability focus on individual exploration. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 31(3), 421-439. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1967322 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1967322

Voss, R., & Gruber, T. (2006). The desired teaching qualities of lecturers in higher education: A means end analysis. Quality Assurance in Education, 14(3), 217-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880610678540 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880610678540

Westgate, E. C. (2020). Why Boredom Is Interesting. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(1), 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419884309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419884309

Westgate, E. C., & Wilson, T. D. (2018). Boring thoughts and bored minds: The MAC model of boredom and cognitive engagement. Psychological Review, 125(5), 689-713. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000097 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000097

Yulihardi, Y., Amrullah, A., & Syaiful, S. (2024). Do Work Ethics, Work Stress and Workload Affect on Job Satisfaction? International Journal of Applied Management and Business, 2(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.54099/ijamb.v2i1.856

Zahednezhad, H., shokrollahi, N., Gheshlagh, R. G., & Afshar, P. F. (2021). Does heavy mental workload affect moral sensitivity among critical care unit nursing professionals? A cross-sectional study. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00662-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00662-8