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scores achieved on ethical behaviour among employees in the
financial sector in the Free State.
5.2 Sample selection
Employees from the financial sector in the Free State (with specific
reference to the banking industry) were involved in the study. Only a
certain banking industry (who wished to remain anonymous) was
prepared to participate in the study. It was necessary to rely upon
the willingness of the employees to participate in the study, as
employees could not be compelled to participate. According to the
Human Resources Department of the specific banking industry they
consist of 800 employees. Sekaran (2000:295) states in this regard
that in order for a sample to be representative of a population of 800
employees, 260 employees should be included in the sample.
However, only 100 employees were prepared to be included in the
sample. Therefore, non-probability sampling, and specifically conve-
nience sampling, were used. Questionnaires were completed anony-
mously. With regard to the composition of the sample, the majority
of respondents (76%) fell in the age category of 20 to 40 years; 61%
of the respondents were female; 62% were white; and the majority
of respondents (75%) were Afrikaans speaking. Furthermore, the
majority of respondents (51%) were in possession of at least a
Grade 12 with between 1 to 3 years tertiary education. Although only
100 respondents could be included in this study, the results (see
par. 6.2) – on grounds of Guilford’s guide to interpret statistically sig-
nificant relationships – can still be interpreted as a definite (although
small) relationship (Tredoux & Durrheim, 2002).
5.3 Data gathering methods
The Work Beliefs Questionnaire and Schepers’ Locus of Control
Questionnaire were used in order to measure respondents’ ethical
behaviour and locus of control.
5.3.1 Schepers’
Locus of Control Questionnaire
Schepers’ Locus of Control Questionnaire is conceptually based on
the social learning theory and attribution theory. Sixty-five items
were composed and subjected to both factor analysis and second-
order factor analysis. The factor analysis of the items yielded the
following three factors, namely internal control, external control, and
autonomy (Schepers, 1995:12).
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296
Koers 76(2) 2011:283-303
The Locus of Control Questionnaire has been extended to include
80 items (each measured on a 7-point scale) in order to increase the
reliability of the various scales. Schepers’ Locus of Control Ques-
tionnaire is standardised for South African conditions and the reliabi-
lity of the questionnaire can be regarded as satisfactory (Schepers,
1995:2, 24).
5.3.2 The
Work Beliefs Questionnaire
The Work Beliefs Questionnaire was developed by Abratt, Nel and
Higgs (1992:30). This questionnaire consists of 28 ethical situations
to which respondents must respond in terms of the 5-point Likert
approach. A total ethical score is given. The Work Beliefs Question-
naire is standardised for South African conditions and has face
validity.
5.4 Statistical methods
Statistical methods which were employed in this study include both
descriptive and inferential statistics. With regards to inferential statis-
tics, the relationship between locus of control and ethical behaviour
were ascertained by means of Pearson’s product-moment correla-
tion coefficient.
6. Results and discussion
6.1 Averages and standard deviations of ethical behaviour
and locus of control
Following is an exposition of the averages and standard deviations
of ethical behaviour as well as the dimensions of locus of control.
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