Ethics education and locus of control: Is Rotter’s scale valid for Nigeria?

Abstract

Managers often face moral decision crossroads that demand self‐leadership and require an internal locus of control. This article suggests that the concept of a locus of control should be incorporated into business ethics education in Nigeria, keeping in mind environmental characteristics that inhibit internal‐ ity, and, based on a qualitative study carried out in Eastern Nigeria, that Rotter’s scale be adapted to reduce response bias in this environment. Both incorporation of the concept and adaptation of the scale would be useful in enhancing the ethical reasoning capabilities of future business leaders.Â