Ethics and Management in the Public Sector

Grappling with ethical issues is a daily challenge for those working in organizations that deliver public services. Such services are delivered through an often bewildering range of agencies and amidst this constant change, there are fears that a public service ethos, a tradition of working in the public interest, becomes blurred. Using extensive vignettes and case studies, Ethics and Management in the Public Sectorilluminates the practical decisions made by public officials. The book takes a universal approach to ethics reflecting the world-wide impact of public service reforms. This textbook covers important themes reflecting current thinking, including an examination of: The definition and scope of ethical issues for public service organizations The universality of ethical prinicples and the relativity of values The extent to which Western ethical principles are appropriate in other parts of the world The impact of reforms on traditional values and principles of public service This easy-to-use textbook is a definitive guide for postgraduate students of public sector ethics, as well as students of public management and administration more generally.