scholarly journals Professional and Ethical Conduct in the Public Sector

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Thozamile Richard Mle
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Unethical Conduct ◽  
The Public ◽  
Moral Principles ◽  
Public Servant

One of the basic values and principles governing public administration enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Chapter 10) is that “a high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained. Ethics is a process by which we clarify right and wrong and act on what we take to be right, that is, a set or system of moral principles that are generally accepted. Ethics simply means  what is right and wrong, what is acceptable or unacceptable and is intertwined with the value system of people. Ethics can also be seen as being relative, not absolute, as ethical behaviour is in the eyes of the beholder. Be that as it may, however, ethical conduct and behaviour normally refer to conforming with generally accepted social norms. Relative to ethics is professionalism, which entails a high standard of work and adherence to certain standards and principles pertaining to specific work to be done. Professionalism embodies skills, competence, efficiency and effectiveness. Public institutions exist for the public good and employ public servants to render services to ensure a better life for all. The public sector is characterised by unprofessional and unethical conduct. The article unearths these and suggests strategies/mechanisms to address this ‘ill’. Can an unethical,  unprofessional public servant be trusted to deliver services? Can, for example, a debt-trapped public servant who survives on borrowing money from micro-lenders, who cannot manage personal finances, be trusted to efficiently manage public funds and thus enhance service delivery? Can an incompetent, corrupt, disloyal, unaccountable, shoddy public servant who flouts the principles of Batho Pele and the code of conduct be entrusted with the  responsibilities of ensuring a better life for all? The answers to these questions constitute the core of this article.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF QUALITY OF CHIEF INTEGRITY OFFICER, ETHICAL CLIMATE ON THE LEVEL OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY IN THE MALAYSIAN FEDERAL

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-68
Author(s):  
Asmawati Sajari ◽  
Hasnah Haron ◽  
Ishak Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Ethical Climate ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
Statutory Body ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine the relationship between the level of ethics and integrity with Quality of Chief Integrity Officer (independence, competence, work performance) and ethical climate in the Malaysian public-sector organizations. Out of 128 questionnaires that were emailed to CIOs in the Federal level, 83 questionnaires were received and usable. The results of this study showed that the Quality of CIO (competence, work performance) and ethical climate is significantly related to the level of ethics and integrity of the public sector in Malaysia. CIO need to perform their roles such as coordinating and monitoring programs and report any breaches of integrity without fear and favour. To nurture a good ethical climate in the organization, clear policies, guideline and code of conduct should be established in all government ministries, department and statutory body in the public sector. Non-ethical conduct should be reprimanded, good ethical behaviour should be rewarded accordingly and should be evident to all in the organization. The overall score of the level of ethics and integrity is 79.30%, which shows that the Malaysian public sector is at “seeing ethics and integrity systematically and having a robust approach”.

scholarly journals Public Sector Managers and Ethical Dilemmas

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Lisa Catherine Ehrich ◽  
Neil Cranston ◽  
Megan Kimber
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Ethical Dilemma ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Public Life ◽  
The Public ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Public Servant ◽  
Tentative Model ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
Public Sector Managers

ABSTRACTControversies surrounding the behaviour of ministers and high profile leaders seem to be commonplace in public life. That there has been a resurgence of interest in the study of ethics is not surprising. The spotlight on ethics in the public domain has been due in part to the crisis in confidence about government and a lack of public trust in organisations. Furthermore, a complex organisational environment where managers are being required to juggle a ‘multitude of competing obligations and interests’ (Cooper 1998, p. 244) has provided fertile ground for the emergence of ethical dilemmas. In this paper we put forward a tentative model that reveals important inputs that bear upon an individual, such as a public sector manager, who is confronted with an ethical dilemma. In the final part of the paper we illustrate the model's efficacy with an ethical dilemma described by a retired senior public servant to determine whether the model works in practice.

scholarly journals Whistleblowing: Impediments to effective implementation within the South African public sector

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Dorasamy ◽  
Soma Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
The South ◽  
The Public ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
The Cost

This purpose of this article is to explore impediments to effective whistleblowing as a strategy for promoting anti-corruption practices within the South African public sector. Corruption, which violates the public service code of conduct; deters foreign investment, increases the cost of public service delivery, undermines the fight against poverty and unnecessarily burdens the criminal justice system. The article addresses the question on whether legislation on whistleblowing is adequate to encourage whistleblowing in the public sector. A review of literature determines that the effective implementation of whistleblowing legislation is largely dependent on addressing the challenges identified in the article. The quantitative research method was employed in the study to ascertain the views of employees in the public sector on whistleblowing. Empirical findings confirm the hypothesis that the protection of whistleblowers through legislation is inadequate to encourage whistleblowing. The article provides a conceptual framework for the effective achievement of the intended outcomes of whistleblowing in the public sector.

Public Sector Reform and the Public Servant

2021 ◽  
pp. 359-379
Author(s):  
Avery Poole ◽  
Janine O’Flynn ◽  
Patrick Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Sector Reform ◽  
Sector Reform ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Servant

Data mining: an ethical baseline for online privacy policies

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D Dean ◽  
Dinah M Payne ◽  
Brett J.L. Landry
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Online Privacy ◽  
Privacy Rights ◽  
Privacy Policies ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moral Principles ◽  
Thoughtful Discussion

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advocate for and provide guidance for the development of a code of ethical conduct surrounding online privacy policies, including those concerning data mining. The hope is that this research generates thoughtful discussion on the issue of how to make data mining more effective for the business stakeholder while at the same time making it a process done in an ethical way that remains effective for the consumer. The recognition of the privacy rights of data mining subjects is paramount within this discussion. Design/methodology/approach – The authors derive foundational principles for ethical data mining. First, philosophical literature on moral principles is used as the theoretical foundation. Then, using existing frameworks, including legislation and regulations from a range of jurisdictions, a compilation of foundational principles was derived. This compilation was then evaluated and honed through the integration of stakeholder perspective and the assimilation of moral and philosophical precepts. Evaluating a sample of privacy policies hints that current practice does not meet the proposed principles, indicating a need for changes in the way data mining is performed. Findings – A comprehensive framework for the development a contemporary code of conduct and proposed ethical practices for online data mining was constructed. Research limitations/implications – This paper provides a configuration upon which a code of ethical conduct for performing data mining, tailored to meet the particular needs of any organization, can be designed. Practical implications – The implications of data mining, and a code of ethical conduct regulating it, are far-reaching. Implementation of such principles serve to improve consumer and stakeholder confidence, ensure the enduring compliance of data providers and the integrity of its collectors, and foster confidence in the security of data mining. Originality/value – Existing legal mandates alone are insufficient to properly regulate data mining, therefore supplemental reference to ethical considerations and stakeholder interest is required. The adoption of a functional code of general application is essential to address the increasing proliferation of apprehension regarding online privacy.

Advocating Service Learning for Developing Citizenship in University Students in South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Dorasamy ◽  
Soma Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Public Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Public Servant ◽  
Management Students

An effective and efficient public sector is largely dependent on employees who accept the responsibility for providing high-quality public services. It can be argued that public management students, as future employees in the public sector, need to be educated for responsible citizenship. Higher education institutions in South Africa are expected to promote social and economic development, and service learning can serve as a catalyst for developing responsible citizenship among public management students. This article investigates how service learning, as an experiential form of learning which has its roots in community service, meets community needs, enhances teaching and learning and contributes towards responsible citizenship. The extent to which service learning in public management as a discipline has been adopted by universities of technology in South Africa is also explored. It is argued that while public management students are expected to engage in experiential learning in the public sector, community-based learning should be included as a compulsory component of experiential learning. The authors suggest that service learning can make a significant contribution to socially responsible citizenship, an important value underpinning any public servant.

La reciente experiencia en la CAPV: Código Ético y Comisión Ética Pública

2016 ◽  
pp. 293-316
Author(s):  
Elisa PÉREZ VERA
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Ethics ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Pais Vasco

LABURPENA: Artikulu honetan, aditzera ematen zaigu zer nolako esperientzia izan duen Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoak sektore publikoko ustelkeriaren aurkako borrokan. Hasieran, borroka horretan zer tresna erabil daitezkeen adierazten da, eta zenbait neurri azpimarratzen dira: besteak beste, Etika Kodeak eta Jokabide Kodeak. Jarraian, Euskal Herriko egoera zein den zehazte aldera, Eusko Jaurlaritzan erabiltzen den Etika eta Jokabide Kodea aztertzen da, baita Etika Publikorako Batzordearen funtzionamendua eta jarduna ere. Horietan guztietan, kontuan izan da ekainaren 26ko 1/2014 Legea, Kargu Publikodunen Jokabide Kodea eta haien Interes Gatazkak arautzen dituena. RESUMEN: El artículo presenta la experiencia de la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco en materia de lucha contra la corrupción en el sector público. Se exponen inicialmente los instrumentos a los que se puede recurrir, haciendo hincapié en medidas como los Códigos Éticos y los Códigos de Conducta. A continuación y para fijar el estado de la cuestión en el País Vasco, se analiza el Código Ético y de conducta empleado en el Gobierno Vasco, así como el funcionamiento y la actividad de la Comisión de Ética Pública en los que también se tiene en cuenta la Ley 1/2014, de 26 de junio, reguladora del Código de conducta y de los conflictos de intereses de los cargos públicos. ABSTRACT: The article presents the experience of the Basque Country in the fight against corruption in the public sector. The instruments that can be used are initially described, emphasizing measures such as codes of ethics and codes of conduct. Next and to set the state of affairs in the Basque Country, the Ethics and Conduct Code used in the Basque Government is discussed, as well as the operation and activities of the Commission on Public Ethics, which also takes into account Act 1/2014, that regulates the code of conduct and conflict of interest of persons holding a public office.

The role of ethics in public administration

SEER ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-278
Author(s):  
Artan Fejzullahu ◽  
Mirlinda Batalli
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Servant ◽  
Professional Employees ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
Made In

Recently, there have been several research studies focusing on the ethics of those who are responsible for public services and in different government positions. Ethics delivers greater responsibility between the citizen and the administration and helps to foster confidence such that citizens can be convinced the administration is working in favour of the public interest. Therefore, it is imperative that every action be made in accordance with ethical rules and principles. This article is focused on the importance of the ethical behaviour of public administration employees in relation to citizens; its aim is to demonstrate the ethical values that every administrator should have in order to establish a responsible, efficient, transparent and accountable administration so as to fulfil such duties towards citizens. The drafting of codes of ethics as well as respect for fundamental principles promotes the creation of a professional climate in the public servant-citizen relationship; this article seeks to highlight the importance of respect for such codes and principles extending to the highest level of professional employees.

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