Coercive management behaviour causes scale

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide a link that will close the gap in the field in respect of the methods used to measure the causes of coercive management behaviour (CMB) in universities and analogous institutions. Second, cultural and geographical differences and absence of studies of the phenomenon in the African university context have instigated researchers’ decision to design new scales to identify and measure the causes of CMB in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 371 respondents were surveyed in a cross-sectional survey using a developed scale which had 20 items. The study adopted the latent variable approach to scale development. Findings – Following an exploratory factor analysis done, five factors were extracted for the measurement of causes of CMB. A Cronbach alpha for all five factors to measure causes of CMB revealed validity for the administrative, social, organisational, cultural and governance elements. The research therefore surmised that the instrument developed to measure causes of CMB proposed is valid. Research limitations/implications – The study provides a vital bridge in the gap between the occurrence of CMB and the identification and measurement of its causes in universities thus contributing to knowledge. Practical implications – As a nation that is heavily imbued with culture, there is need to push for modifications in culture at the national level and within the African setting so as to ensure curtailment or total eradication of CMB for the future. Originality/value – The study brings to research attention hitherto unmarked causes of CMB by providing a validated instrument that can be used to measure causes of the phenomenon.