The effect of transparency, competency and religiosity on public officers' ethical behaviour

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between transparency, competency and religiosity with the ethical behaviour of the public officers in Malaysia. This study utilises the questionnaire survey as the research instrument distributed to the public officers from eleven enforcement agencies in Malaysia. Using multiple regression analysis on 71 respondents, this study shows that both transparency and competency have significant relationship with the ethical behaviour of the public officers in the enforcement agencies, and the relationship is significant. Personal actions and interpersonal relationships, two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision-making are among the factors contributing to the significant relationship. However, religiosity does not have a significant relationship on the public sector officers' ethical behaviour. The findings from this study provide some implications towards the enforcement agencies in improving their ethical behaviour in performing their tasks. This is because transparency and competency play an important role in improving ethical behaviour in the work place.