Service delivery and ethical conduct in the public service: the missing links

Abstract

Service delivery and ethical conduct in the public service: the missing links There are a multitude of policies, strategies and programmes directed at the rendering of effective services to the citizens of South Africa by public service managers. However, in spite of the pursuit of effectiveness and the condemning of unethical behaviour by public service managers, scandals still occur and allegations are still made. So, where are the missing links? In this article, a brief description is given of some ethical concepts viewed as important in addressing the question posed. The concluding remarks are twofold: public service organisations need to provide continuous commitment, enforcement, and modelling of leadership in professional ethics by means of, among other things, policy structures; and public service managers need to realise the importance of changing their own mindset and accepting the ethical standards that are established by the public service organisation, even if these differ from their own beliefs and culture. Opsomming Dienslewering en etiese gedrag in die staatsdiens: die verlore skakels Daar is 'n menigte beleide, strategieë en programme wat gerig is op die lewering van doeltreffende dienste deur staatsdiens-bestuurders aan die inwoners van Suid-Afrika. Maar, ten spyte van dié strewe na doeltreffendheid en die verwerping van on-etiese gedrag deur staatsdiensbestuurders, vind skandale steeds plaas en word aantygings steeds gemaak. Maar waar is die ontbrekende skakels dan? In hierdie artikel word 'n kort be-Service delivery and ethical conduct in the public service: the missing links skrywing verskaf van 'n paar etiese konsepte wat as belangrik beskou word in die hantering van die vraag onder bespreking. Die slotopmerkings is tweevoudig: staatsdiensorganisasies moet ʼn volgehoue verbintenis, toepassing en modellering van leierskap in professionele etiek verskaf deur onder andere be-leidstrukture; en staatsdiensbestuurders moet die belangrikheid daarvan besef om hulle eie gesindheid te verander en die etie-se standaarde wat deur die staatsdiensorganisasie daargestel word te aanvaar, selfs al verskil dit van hulle eie oortuigings en kultuur.