This study examines the impact of discipline on organizational performance at Akwa Ibom State University, focusing specifically on adherence to institutional regulations, staff punctuality, ethical behaviour, and employee commitment. The research addresses concerns regarding the decline in institutional performance, which has been linked to weakened disciplinary practices, ultimately affecting efficiency and productivity. Drawing on Travis Hirschi's Social Control Theory (1969) and the Theory of Organizational Behavior, the study explores how discipline influences organizational success. A survey research design was adopted, targeting a population of 1,049 staff members, including both academic and non-academic personnel. Using Taro Yamene’s formula, a sample size of 290 was calculated. Data were collected through structured questionnaires using a four-point Likert scale and analyzed with SPSS version 24. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between adherence to institutional rules and university performance (r = 0.815, p < 0.01). Similarly, staff punctuality and attendance were found to have a substantial impact on performance (r = 0.948, p < 0.01). Ethical conduct was also identified as a significant factor influencing performance (r = 0.861, p < 0.05), while employee commitment showed a strong relationship with organizational success (r = 0.735, p < 0.05). Based on these findings, the study recommends stricter enforcement of institutional policies, enhanced monitoring of staff punctuality, the introduction of ethics training programs, and initiatives aimed at strengthening employee commitment. These measures are expected to improve organizational efficiency and academic output. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence that discipline is a critical driver of institutional effectiveness and offers valuable insights for university administrators in developing policies that foster a disciplined and high-performing work environment.
Akpan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.