Topic Guide: Public Sector Integrity

Introduction to public sector ethics. Amundsen, I., 2009. http://www.cmi.no/publications... 

This paper is the introductory chapter to the compendium on Public Sector Ethics, developed by the Chr. Michelsen Institute. It has been designed as teaching material for universities, giving an overview of public sector ethics with an emphasis on providing a comprehensive and detailed survey of the topic, and clearly demarcating sub-issues and debates within the field. The chapter has three main focal points: (1) the basis and basics of ethics in the public sector, (2) the “infrastructure” of ethics and (3) the discussion on conflict of interests and corruption (both political and bureaucratic). The chapter concludes by presenting a selection of nine highly relevant journal articles and other written material on the subject. 

Towards a sound integrity framework: instruments, processes, structures and conditions for implementation. OECD, 2009. http://www.oecd.org/officialdo...

More practice-orientated than theoretical, this OECD report takes stock of accumulated knowledge and emergent data to present the key components of a sound integrity framework in public sector organisations. This framework centres around: (1) core integrity instruments (ethics codes, conflict of interest policy, whistleblowing arrangements), (2) processes (planning, implementing, evaluating) and (3) structures/actors (ethics units, integrity actors). The report provides a comprehensive approach to review and modernise these instruments, procedures and actors for fostering integrity and preventing corruption in the public sector.  

The authors build upon the assumption that all aspects of integrity management infrastructure are interdependent and that the framework as a whole is dependent on its context. Seeking to translate its findings into functional policy recommendations, the report also provides a complementary checklist as a hands-on diagnostic tool for managers (see in annex 2). The report has a particularly good section on codes of conduct (pp.34-38), and provides empirical support for the claim that integrity management requires elements of both the rule-based and values-based approaches (Box 1, p.13). It also has informative subsections on managing conflicts of interest (p.39) and principles for post-public employment (p.41).  

Public integrity research toolkit. McDevitt, A., 2011. Transparency International. https://knowledgehub.transpare...  

This toolkit contains information about the different ways to assess the robustness of public integrity systems. Public integrity assessment are defined as those tools which (1) assess the institutional framework for promoting integrity and combating corruption across the public sector, or (2) diagnose corruption and/or corruption risks within specific government agencies and/or among public officials. The guide offers an overview of the different assessment approaches, data sources and key issues and challenges. Finally, the guide provides a list of promising practices in the area.  

The ethics challenge in public service: A problem-solving guide. Lewis, C.W. & Gilman, S.C., 2012. http://bit.ly/1y7avpF  

First published in 1991, the thoroughly revised and updated third edition of The Ethics Challenge in Public Service has been recently published. The book aims to provide public managers with a shortcut through a maze of information and perspectives on public sector ethics. It attempts to promote ethical literacy by offering practical tools and techniques for resolving work-related dilemmas at individual and agency level to help managers structure the work environment to foster ethical behaviour. To this end, case studies are provided at the end of each chapter to showcase ethical problem solving. For instance, it explores what to do when rules recommend one action and compassion another, and whether it is ethical to dissent from agency policy. It also explores managers' accountability to different stakeholders and how to balance often competing responsibilities. The third edition contains a range of excellent resources such as a 13 step guide to integrating ethics in public sector organisations (p.259) and the additional internet resources listed in the appendix.  

Ethics and management in the public sector. Lawton, A., Rayner, J., and Lastuizen, K., 2013. http://bit.ly/1CqfSvc 

This easy-to-use textbook is a practical guide for postgraduate students of public sector ethics, as well as students of public management and administration more generally. Using extensive vignettes and case studies, Ethics and Management in the Public Sector illuminates the ethical implications of practical decisions made by public officials. The book takes a universal approach to ethics, reflecting the worldwide impact of public service reforms and also includes discussions on how these reforms affect traditional values and principles of public services. Relevant chapters include Managing Ethics in the Public Services, Public Service Motivation and Ethos and Compliance/Integrity Approaches.  

The public sector and ethical transformation: issues and implications for the bureaucracy. Moti, U.G., 2013. in Research Journal of Social Science and Management vol.2 (10) pp. 49-66 http://www.theinternationaljournal.org/ojs/index.php?journal=tij&page=article&op=download&path%5B%5D=1574&path%5B%5D=pdf  

This recent review paper provides a useful study of current thinking about ethics as a concept as well as principles of public service ethics and the wider issues involved in public sector ethics. These include political accountability, transparency, fairness, public integrity, leadership, pay reform, recruitment and promotion, conflict of interest, clientelism, favouritism and nepotism. After highlighting the implications of these challenges for the bureaucracy, the paper concludes by advocating an ethical transformation in the public sector in order to build trust in public institutions.