The influence of professional scepticism, self-efficacy and perceived ethical climate on internal auditors’ ethical judgment in public sector management; [Wpływ zawodowego sceptycyzmu, samooceny i klimatu etycznego na etyczną ocenę wewnętrznych audytorów w zarządzaniu sektorem publicznym]

• Published in: Polish Journal of Management Studies
• Main Author: Ghani E.K.; Respati H.; Darsono J.T.; Yusoff M.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czestochowa University of Technology 2019
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85069658255&doi=10.17512%2fpjms.2019.19.2.13&partnerID=40&md5=4792a488d2362e8c261376d6abfad591

This study examines whether professional scepticism, self-efficacy, and perceived ethical climate of an organisation has an impact in ethical judgment of internal auditors in the public sector in Malaysia. The internal auditors in the government sector have a proactive role to monitor on-going government projects. The sample was selected from the ministry staff consisting of senior auditors and assistant auditors working for the organisation in the public sector, including those attached to branches located throughout Malaysia. The questionnaire survey was distributed directly or using online-system on 94 internal auditors. Based on multiple regression analysis, this study shows that the internal auditors’ perceived ethical climate had a positive influence on their ethical judgment. However, this study shows that the internal auditors’ professional scepticism and self-efficacy had no significant influence on their ethical judgment. This study shows that the internal auditors do make ethical judgments although more stringent regulations may enhance the ethical judgment score, as auditors will refrain themselves from acting unethically. The reporting of unethical conduct and the awareness on the consequences of committing unethical conduct generally would discourage them from behaving unethically. The findings in this study suggests that the public sector organisations need to provide more efforts in strengthening their ethical climate and implementing a clear policy on ethical conduct in order to enhance ethical judgment amongst their internal auditors. © 2019, Czestochowa University of Technology. All rights reserved.