More than Writing on a Wall: Evaluating the Role that Codes of Ethics Play in Securing Accountability of Public Sector Decision‐Makers

Abstract

This article argues that the essential factors of a public service code of ethics can be divided into five categories. These categories or principles are fairness, transparency, responsibility, efficiency and conflict of interest. These principles are identified in this article as being the basic elements of democratic accountability in relation to public sector decision-making. The issues explored are not only the obstacles that the public service decision-maker faces in internalising these principles but, also, the challenges for a pro-active management in fostering such internalisation.

Governance Structures and Mechanisms in Public Service Organizations Theories, Evidence and Future Directions

“…The contexts of New Zealand and Australia seem to be focused particularly on accountability issues (Barrett, 1997;Chapman and Duncan, 2007;Gregory and Hicks, 1999;Lonti and Gregory, 2007;Mulgan, 2006) and ethical behaviours (Kakabadse et al, 2003;Kinchin, 2007) of public servants. The role of the conflict of interest is also particularly highlighted (Bowman et al, 2001) Even if networked forms of governance are increasing worldwide, the major concern is associated with the overlapping of functions and the shared responsibilities that often characterize the various actors involved in the governance system of PSOs.…”

Innovation in Public Sector Management Control Systems in the Context of New Public Management: A Case of an Australian Public Sector Organization

“…Public interest disclosure is an innovation in the accountability system of a public organization which is used in the public interest (Mulgan, 2000;Kinchin, 2007;Bourgon, 2008). Organizational documents suggests that the researched department implemented control mechanism for public interest and adapted the ACT government Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994(ACT, 1994.…”

Ethics Management: How to Achieve Ethical Organizations and Management?

“…In the public sector ethics and moral thinking has traditionally guided decision making, behaviour and actions of civil servants and the holders of public office. The actions have typically have been based on basic virtues such as fairness, transparency, responsibility, efficiency and no conflict of interest (Kinchin 2007). The difference is also seen in that whereas it is perfectly legitimate in the private sector to develop close relations with customers and offer gifts, in the public sector neutrality and objectivity establish the norm (Demmke, Moilanen 2011).…”

“…In general terms, the ethical theories serve as tools when trying to achieve ethical administration in general and improve ethical behavior of civil servants and holders of public office in particular. The ethical theories inform public employees of the cardinal virtues honesty, responsibility, temperance and courage (Menzel 2005) and of public sector virtues such as benevolence, patience, trustworthiness and loyalty (Menzel 2006), fairness, transparency, responsibility, efficiency, and no conflict of interest (Kinchin 2007). In addition, the ethical theories help the public employees to evaluate the consequences of their actions, to understand the importance of rules, regulations and values, and a specific public service ethos which presupposes that administrators promote the public interest over their own interest and the interest their employers or elected foremen (Menzel 2006).…”