Factors influencing inclination towards bribery among lower rank officers in the Malaysian immigration department

The purpose of this study is to determine the best predictor in the inclination towards bribery among lower rank officers in the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM). The factors, namely ethical orientation, significant others, individual values, gender, age and duration of service are theorised as factors directly influencing the inclination towards bribery. The four objectives are; first, to identify the level of ethical orientation, significant others and individual values on inclination towards bribery. The second objective is to examine the relationship between ethical orientation, significant others, individual values and inclination towards bribery. The third objective is to examine influence of socio-demographic patterns on inclination towards bribery. The fourth objective is to determine the most significant predictor of inclination towards bribery. The Bureaucratic theory was supported by the Unified Normative Ethics (UNE) theory to explain the behaviour is conducted based on the ‘what ought to be’ maxim reflecting the normative nature of public service. This study conducted a series of expert interviews with selected informants holding key positions in Institute Integrity of Malaysia (IIM), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) and Public Service Department (PSD) which confirmed the conceptual framework is relevant to the Malaysian public service setting and validate the instrument. The study is designed quantitatively where a correlational study was conducted. A survey using the questionnaires collected a cross- sectional data. The questionnaires were adapted from four previous survey instruments. The adapted questionnaire were validated by expert judgments and tested in a pilot test conducted in JIM Melaka. The questionnaire was statistically validated using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Both descriptive and inferential analyses using SPSS version 21 were used to analyse the data. A systematic sampling was used to select 306 respondents based on Krejcie Morgan sampling formula. 400 questionnaires were distributed in JIM offices in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. Of these, 324 (81%) questionnaires were analysed. The unit of analysis is the lower rank officers of KP17, KP22 and KP26 work grades. All the respondents are uniformed Immigration Officers from five operational divisions, which are Passport and Security; Expatriate Services; Pass, Permit and Visa; Enforcement; and Foreign Workers. Individual values are found to be the most significant predictor in the inclination towards bribery among lower rank officers. To a lesser extent, ethical orientation does influence the inclination of lower rank officers towards bribery. Significant others are found not to be a significant predictor in the lower rank officers’ inclination towards bribery. This study asserts that the adequacy or deficiency of values is the foundation to lower or higher inclination towards bribery among lower rank officers in the Malaysian Immigration Department. Therefore, values is implied to be the main mechanism to curb inclination towards bribery in the Malaysian public service. The Malaysian Immigration Department is recommended to design an intervention program to create a values-based working environment.

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