Strategic Management of Compliance: Evaluating the Role of Corporate Governance in Preventing Workplace Misconduct in Nigerian Organizations

Abstract

This study investigates the strategic role of corporate governance in mitigating workplace misconduct within Nigerian organizations, with a focus on key governance practices including board oversight, internal controls, Code of ethics enforcement, compliance training, and whistleblowing mechanisms. Utilizing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 150 compliance and governance professionals across various MDAs in Nigeria through structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to assess the impact of governance variables on the prevalence of unethical workplace behavior. The findings reveal that all five governance mechanisms significantly influence the reduction of workplace misconduct, with board oversight showing the strongest effect. The model explained over 70% of the variation in misconduct levels highlighting the importance of a comprehensive and integrated compliance strategy rooted in sound governance principles. These results emphasizes the need for organizations to view governance not merely as a regulatory requirement but as a strategic tool for fostering ethical culture, accountability and organizational sustainability.