An investigation into the impact of poor ethical behaviour on the achievement of objectives in provincial departments

Abstract

The public sector is characterised by its own value system. Values, such as accountability, transparency, efficiency, equity, have to be taken into account by all those engaged in this sector. On the other hand, values are an integral part of ethics; thus, necessitating those engaged in the public sector to be well versed in ethics. In this dissertation, the researcher argues that the theoretical principles of ethics should form the basis of all activities in human resource management in the public sector. The emphasis on human resource management is deliberate as only human beings are capable of ethical or unethical behaviour. Human resources managers in the public sector should be adequately trained in ethics in order for them to train their subordinates; thereby curbing unethical behaviour. Theories are helpful in predicting and explaining phenomena, such as why people behave the way they do. Principles, on the other hand, serve as the fundamental basis for reasoning or action. Both the teleological and deontological theories of ethics are discussed in this dissertation. The promotion of ethics is fundamental to the endeavour to curb unethical behaviour, such as corruption, fraud, maladministration, and theft. Different ways to promote ethics in human resource management are suggested in this study.