Behavioural, Cognitive, Emotional Engagement and Time Commitment as Predictors of Undergraduate Students’ Utilisation of Academic Support Services in South-South Universities in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated corporate governance practices, (transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsibility) as predictors of academic staff morale in private universities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational research design, with a sample of 360 academic staff drawn from selected private universities using the multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to measure corporate governance practices and academic staff morale. The instrument was validated by experts, and its reliability was established using Cronbach's reliability coefficients. Data collected were analysed using simple and multiple regression analysis to determine the extent to which each governance variable predicts academic staff morale, both individually and jointly. The findings revealed that transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsibility significantly influence academic staff morale when considered independently. However, responsibility emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by accountability and integrity, while transparency had the least influence. In the combined model, responsibility, accountability, and integrity remained significant predictors, whereas transparency did not make a significant unique contribution. It was recommended that university management strengthen responsible leadership, enforce accountability mechanisms, and uphold ethical standards to improve staff motivation and institutional effectiveness.