Ethics
Management International
. . . building organizations of integrity
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Ethics
Management International
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English summary of German book review of Ethics Management for Public Administrators by Don Menzel--prepared by Sue Stephan This book deals with the cultivation and establishment of principles of ethical behaviour, which are of fundamental importance in the public sector. The book deals with five main themes: 1) A scandal is usually the reason for introducing principles of ethic behaviour. 2) The question of ethics and ethical standards is of worldwide concern. 3) Building up an organization on the basis of ethical standards cannot be done in one single act. Rather, this is an ongoing process. 4) Rules alone are not enough. Each individual must ask himself again and again what the right thing is to do. 5) There is no checklist for establishing an ethical organization. But there are some helpful tools which managers in the public sector can use. The book is divided into seven chapters. A very interesting feature of the book are the two practical exercises in ethical behaviour found at the end of every chapter. The questions posed here are very provocative, and offer an excellent opportunity to consider what ethical behaviour really means in very concrete situations. These practical exercises can be worked on in small groups, the results of which can be compared in a later plenary session. Thus, the book is well suited for use in a seminar in ethics management in MPA programs or in continuing education programs for employees in the public sector. In Chapter 1 the author gives a general overview of what ethics management is, why it is needed and how it can be implemented. The second chapter deals with the historical development of ethical standards in the public sector in the USA. In the third chapter, the author describes the tools that managers in public administration can use to implement and establish ethical behaviour in the workplace. One essential tool is the exemplary behaviour of the managers themselves. Another tool is ethics training, which deals with the pertinent laws, rules and regulations. In Chapter 4, Menzel discusses ethics management as it is practised on the local level in the USA. He points out several cities and counties which have already set up standards of ethical behaviour. Chapter 5 deals with ethics management on the national and state level in the USA. Ethics management in other countries is the focus in Chapter 6. Menzel also examines ethics management as practised in international organizations, such as the UN and the OECD, the latter of which has formulated 12 principles for ethical behaviour in public administration. In Chapter 7 Menzel discusses several areas in which the public sector will be faced with challenges in the future, and in which the issue of ethical standards will be of great importance, e.g. privatization of public services and facilities, information privacy in the public sector and globalization of services. Menzel also looks at the education of future managers in the public sector. In his opinion, more emphasis needs to be placed on ethics in MPA programs.
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