A Review of Ethics in Business and Management

Over the years, the relationship between public interest and ethics in public administration has been assumed and debated, with the nature of the relationship not being examined. Various authors have come up with different approaches and conceptions that describe the relationship between ethics and public interests, more so at places of work. The ethics that best fit the interests of the public are those of honesty, social equity, democracy, stewardship, and benevolence. A variety of articles describes the issue of ethics in business and management while each article focuses on different conceptions of the same theme.

The Conceptions of the Public Interest and Ethics

According to business ethics, every action ought to be accounted for as a way of practicing transparency in any organization. An article by Melvin J. Dubnick discusses reconsideration of the relationship between accountability and ethics in an organization. The article gives a broad discussion of the concept of accountability. It is approached historically, institutionally, and sociologically. The institutional approach is a measure of control that is associated with governance structures.

Under the approach, there are standards that ensure responsibility with the help of constitutions and financial reporting standards. It is ethical to ensure accountability at the workplace so as to earn the trust of other colleagues at work. It is important to obey the constitution that gives different provisions at the workplace. The provisions given by the law apparently takes into consideration the public interest (Dubnick, 2003, p 408).

The sociological perspective describes accountability as a social act that is responsible for the repair of damaged relationships.

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The sociological conception involves seeking forgiveness, engaging in good deeds, and subjecting oneself to retribution. Individuals have the responsibility of giving accounts for their actions as a way of promoting accountability in organizations. However, there are some actions that that are not acceptable in justification of actions. The article highlights the unique nature of public office holding where no rules protect one’s privacy. The lack of privacy is for the purpose of transparency and accountability (Dubnick, 2003, p 423).

The article about normative education by Mary Ann and Gail Johnson gives two distinct approaches to public service and public service education. Under the conception, there is the rational approach as well as the normative approach. The normative public service approach consists of motives that have been combined with the public service ethic. Historically, public sector employees have been interested in ideological goals than private sector employees rather than in monetary rewards. Public servants ought to be involved in serving the interest of the public rather than their self-interests, as a part of business ethics (Feldheim and Johnson, 2004, p 10).

Public participation in administration can have both positive and adverse effects on the management. The participation has, in most cases resulted in problematic issues while in some cases the public participation has always been idealistic. The article about the question of public participation in the administration is a debate on whether citizens ought to be involved in governance and administration.

The Communal contribution is also perceived to be involving and time-consuming since organizations may not have enough resources to involve the general public in governance. Ethically, it is advisable for organizations to practice democracy as a way of proving that public participation is not required. Public participation can be time-consuming to the entire organization since the general public is not well trained on the professional requirements of the organization (King et al. 1998).

In most developed countries, public servants are dedicated to assisting the public in any way possible as opposed to the developing world, where public servants still use the old system of administration. The old administration system requires that the employees work for their self- interests even before they can listen to the pleas from the general public. As in the article about the new public service, old administration system of management is being dropped while the new method of serving rather than steering is being preferred. The basic role of a public servant is to help citizens articulate and meet their interests rather than steering the society to act in a particular manner.

Initially, public administrators had the role of focusing on and controlling bureaucracies as well as delivering services. In the contemporary society, public servants work under laws that stimulate the implementation of positive changes in the society. Critically, public servants need to empower citizens even as they provide the required services in the sector in which they work. Citizens ought to be at the forefront; hence public institutions can be built to mark integrity and responsiveness (Denhardt and Denhardt, 2000).

A Review of the American Society of Public Administration Code of Ethics

The ASPA is a society that is in charge of the advancement in science, procedure, and art of public administration in the United States. The Society was, therefore, constituted to advance the science, way, and skill of public administration. It is entirely responsible for the development of the spirit of professionalism among its members. Professionalism entails observing a given code of conduct and ethical principles in public service. There are principles that the members of the society follow to commit themselves to their line of duty. Serving the public is the primary purpose for the existence of the society. Members are authorized to respond to the public in ways that oppose discrimination in their dealings with the government.

It is mandatory that the society respects the constitution through a clear understanding of the responsibilities of public agencies, employees, and citizens. The society is also restricted to promoting fairness and equality as a show of responsibility. Demonstrating integrity in public service can be proven by being truthful and honest as well as ensuring that others receive praise for their work. Integrity can also be shown by respecting superiors and taking responsibility for errors that may arise in the course of duty.

Members of the American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics also have the role of promoting ethical organizations by strengthening the capacity of organizations in applying ethics as well as being efficient when serving the public. Moreover, the society is restricted to strive for personal excellence and promote professional development of others (The ASPA Code of Ethics – 1994).