Predictors of cheating in online exams among business students during the Covid pandemic: Testing the theory of planned behavior

Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and prior empirical research, this quantitative study aims to identify the main predictors of academic dishonesty in online exams among undergraduate business students during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Complete data were collected through online questionnaire from 176 undergraduate business students from different UAE universities. Three proposed conceptual models were tested using structural equation modeling analysis (SEM). Results of SEM demonstrate that, in line with the TPB, students’ favorable attitude toward cheating, social norms supportive of cheating, and perceived control over the engagement in cheating are the main predictors of cheating intentions in online exams among business students. This study shows that perceived control and cheating intentions are the direct predictors of actual cheating in online exams. The study also demonstrates that attitude toward cheating, social norms supportive of cheating, and perceived control over cheating indirectly influence actual cheating behavior in online exams. The findings of this study can help university administrators and faculty members understand and curb cheating during online exams among business students not only in the context of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic but also in the years ahead.