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In many ways, leading a public entity is much like leading any other organization. The high visibility and unique responsibilities of public positions, however, bring some special challenges. Some of these challenges fall within the area of ethics, which can be tricky to navigate for any leader, but especially so for those in the public eye. An online master’s in public administration program, such as Ohio University’s online MPA, can provide the skills and background needed to navigate the difficult but crucial landscape of ethics in public administration. Ethical ChallengesWhat makes ethical responsibilities so tricky in the public sector? The primary complicating factor is the leader’s position as a public servant. Government employees and administrators are entrusted with public resources. Proper ethical behavior dictates that all public sector workers, and particularly leaders, act in a way that best serves the interests of the public. Informed constituents are well aware of this mandate and will watch carefully to make sure the public interest is served. An article written by Sonia Haq notes that the path to this goal is not always clear cut. “Public servants have to exercise administrative discretion while performing their duties. Public trust in the government depends on the manner through which these duties are carried out,” she explains. “Therefore, it is crucial to maintain ethical standards in the implementation of government functions, [and] leadership can have a considerable effect on the enhancement of overall ethics in the public service.” Another issue for public servants, according to George J. Gordon and Michael E. Milakovich, authors of “Public Administration in America,” is the general perception (or, at the very least, the joke) that government employees are lazy and corrupt. To combat this stereotype, public leaders must be models of ethical behavior at all times and hold themselves to even higher standards than leaders in the private sector. Ethical GuidelinesThe American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) was established in 1984 with the mission of advancing the science, art, and practice of public administration. As part of this effort, ASPA seeks to increase awareness of and commitment to ethical principles and standards among all public service workers. The organization’s Code of Ethics lists eight-core duties of the public leader:
The Leader’s ImpactEthics in public administration obviously helps an organization to avoid scandals, legal issues and general perception problems. Beyond that, though, ethical leaders have a huge impact on a public organization’s internal culture and effectiveness. In a recent study published in Public Administration Review, authors Shahidul Hassan, Bradley E. Wright, and Gary Yukl identify three internal benefits of ethical public leadership:
Benefits for AllEthical leadership is not just good for a public organization. It is also good for the leader, who benefits from having a smoothly running and effective operation that accomplishes its goals and mandates. By learning in advance how to avoid ethical issues whenever possible, and how to manage them correctly if they do arise, public leaders can prepare themselves to handle any eventuality with confidence, grace and success. About Ohio University’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) ProgramOhio University’s online MPA program is dedicated to preparing professionals for a career in public administration. Through the university’s prestigious Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, students learn how to master ethical responsibilities and challenges through targeted public administration classes while also building skills in policy, finance, leadership, business, management, and communications. The school occupies the No. 12 spot in the SR Education Group’s 2019 Best Online Colleges Offering MPA Programs ranking The program, which is 100% online, offers three concentrations: Public Leadership and Management, Non-Profit Management, or State and Local Government Management. Students can finish their degree programs in as few as two years. . Recommended Reading: Public Policy vs. Public Administration: How Do Public Organizations Get
Things Done? Sources: Procedia, Ethics and leadership skills in the public service What is the role of government in ethics?Government ethics applies to the processes, behavior, and policy of governments and the public officials who serve in elected or appointed positions. The role of government and its officials is to serve the public interest with ethical awareness and ethical actions.
What happens when a company acts unethically?Businesses that fail to follow federal and state guidelines often face large fines and other penalties. Larger companies sometimes decide that breaking laws and paying the fines involves lower costs than the financial gain made from breaking those laws.
How can the government encourage the ethical behavior of organizations?The government can do so by legislating more stringent regulations. But, rules require enforcement and when in many cases there is evidence of lack of enforcement even the ethical businessperson will tend to "slip something by" without getting caught.
How does government intervene in the ethical conduct of business?Government regulation creates barriers to for new businesses to enter the marketplace. These barriers give existing companies distinct competitive advantages over potential competitors. Thus, increasing regulation benefits large existing companies, which reduces competition and promotes unethical business practices.
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What is the responsibility of a government when found an organization is unethical?
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