Theodora Aba Abekah Koomson, Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu, Rita Amoah Bekoe and Maureen Oquaye
This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of asset misappropriation at the workplace and examines the dominant factors that influence individuals to misappropriate assets at…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of asset misappropriation at the workplace and examines the dominant factors that influence individuals to misappropriate assets at the workplace. Relying on the most recent theory on fraud (the stimulus/pressure, capability, opportunity, rationalization and ego (S.C.O.R.E. model) as the theoretical basis, the study examines the effect of pressure, rationalization, capability, opportunity/strength of internal control system and ego on asset misappropriation at the workplace while controlling for the effect of ethical values.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 883 valid responses from individuals working in various organizations in Ghana were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested by means of a structural model analysis using the partial least square based structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
Results from the structural model analysis demonstrate that individuals misappropriate assets at their workplace due to pressures they face, their ability to rationalize their actions as not wrong, their capabilities and their egos. The results, however, indicate that the extent to which an individual will misappropriate asset depends, to a large extent, on the person’s perception of the strength of internal control mechanisms at the workplace. The findings of the study make significant contributions to the fraud discourse.
Originality/value
Theoretically, the study is among the first to provide empirical support for the applicability of the S.C.O.R.E. model in the fraud literature. Again, this study extends knowledge on occupational fraud literature by examining an area that has received the least research attention: asset misappropriation. The study also highlights the important role of internal controls in reducing the occurrence of asset misappropriation at the workplace.
Details
Keywords
Maureen Oquaye, Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu and Godfred Alufar Bokpin
This paper examines the effect of financial self-efficacy and financial behaviour on financial well-being and ascertains whether financial well-being affects an individual's level…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the effect of financial self-efficacy and financial behaviour on financial well-being and ascertains whether financial well-being affects an individual's level of happiness in life. The authors also show the mediating role of financial behaviour in the relationship between self-efficacy and financial well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey method of research was adopted using questionnaires as the principal means of data collection. The hypotheses of the study were tested on a rich data set from a sample of 210 parliamentarians in Ghana using the structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
The results show that individuals with high level of financial self-efficacy practise responsible financial behaviour and find financial behaviour to be a good predictor of financial well-being. The authors also find financial behaviour to mediate between financial self-efficacy and financial well-being and conclude that well-being impacts positively on happiness.
Practical implications
Findings of this study demonstrate that the financial well-being of an individual has important implications on the quality of life and an important way of improving well-being is to promote responsible financial behaviour.
Originality/value
This study employs the subjective measure of financial well-being in its analysis and also examines an outcome of financial well-being.