The consequences of such practices manifest in the short-, mid-, and long-term. Immediate effects can be seen in the higher education work force and can include a reduction in job satisfaction, motivation, and commitment among employees, and a loss of trust in leadership. The situation becomes increasingly dire in the mid-term, with the institution suffering from increasingly negative public opinion, diminished organizational performance, obstacles to sustainable growth, managerial difficulties and, again, loss of trust and reputation.

Institutional commitment to an academic integrity culture raises the standard of any academic activity, creates an atmosphere of trust in academia, and attracts and breeds honest and responsible individuals within the community. These values are considered to be transferable, either from social life to academia or from academia to social life. From this perspective, developing an institutional policy on academic integrity is key to providing guidance for both lecturers and students.