NEW ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN A CHANGING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION João Bilhim Bárbara Neves

The New Public Administration Reality New Public Administration Paradigms ( New Public Management, Reinventing Government ) Open space for ethics awareness New ethical problems

New Public Administration Paradigms

( New Public Management, Reinventing Government )

The New Reality New Paradigms New Developments (Privatisations, Downsizings, Public-Private Partnerships) New Key Words (Diversity, Flexibility and Complexity) Less Control New Ethical Doubts

New Paradigms

New Developments (Privatisations, Downsizings, Public-Private Partnerships)

New Key Words (Diversity, Flexibility and Complexity)

Less Control

New Ethical Doubts

New Ethical Doubts How can we identify norms for the context of frequent developments in a changing public administration? Witch are the consequences of these formats in administration terms, of clarification of responsibilities, of managers action and their orientation?

How can we identify norms for the context of frequent developments in a changing public administration?

Witch are the consequences of these formats in administration terms, of clarification of responsibilities, of managers action and their orientation?

Conflicts of NPM Model: The Portuguese Case Conflicts: NPM objectives, goals and philosophies versus old regulations, norms and beliefs.

Conflicts: NPM objectives, goals and philosophies

versus

old regulations, norms and beliefs.

Conflicts of NPM Model: The Portuguese Case Dysfunctions : “who to follow” and “what to follow” Tensions : Quality service to the citizen or economical, low cost service to the State?

Dysfunctions : “who to follow” and “what to follow”

Tensions : Quality service to the citizen or economical, low cost service to the State?

Conflicts of NPM Model: The Portuguese Case How can the public servant define an ethical position in the public service act, when he has to face contradictory institutional demands or obligations that are against his beliefs?

How can the public servant define an ethical position in the public service act, when he has to face contradictory institutional demands or obligations that are against his beliefs?

Conflicts of NPM Model: The Portuguese Case Theoretical Approach: Immanuel Kant Paul Ricoeur

Theoretical Approach:

Immanuel Kant

Paul Ricoeur

The E-Government Example

The E-Government Example “ The term “e-government” focuses on the use of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) by governments as applied to the full range of government functions” (OECD, 2001). New Concepts: Cyber Management and E-Administration

“ The term “e-government” focuses on the use of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) by governments as applied to the full range of government functions” (OECD, 2001).

New Concepts:

Cyber Management and E-Administration

The E-Government Example What can be the ethical or unethical implications of Internet? What will be the impact of e-government on public administration ethics? Who must have full access to websites? What kind of restrictions must be established?

What can be the ethical or unethical implications of Internet?

What will be the impact of e-government on public administration ethics?

Who must have full access to websites?

What kind of restrictions must be established?

The E-Government Example Can employees access Internet for their personal use? Can the public access the government data bases harmlessly? Can privacy be at risk? Who can be responsible for ICT errors?

Can employees access Internet for their personal use?

Can the public access the government data bases harmlessly?

Can privacy be at risk?

Who can be responsible for ICT errors?

The E-Government Example What policies must be implemented? What strategies must be followed? How can e-government facilitate reform?

What policies must be implemented?

What strategies must be followed?

How can e-government facilitate reform?

The E-Government Example Major perspectives assure that e-government has the potential to support good governance practices. The Internet can bring positive and negative factors to public administration.

Major perspectives assure that e-government has the potential to support good governance practices.

The Internet can bring positive and negative factors to public administration.

The E-Government Example However, this new reality represents a serious challenge for managers, because there is need: to promote Internet use for employees and clients, having in mind the simplification of procedures, decision times, quality, effectiveness and efficacy of the public service; to establish policies for discouraging Internet abuse and corruption by the employees and the public.

However, this new reality represents a serious challenge for managers, because there is need:

to promote Internet use for employees and clients, having in mind the simplification of procedures, decision times, quality, effectiveness and efficacy of the public service;

to establish policies for discouraging Internet abuse and corruption by the employees and the public.

New Ethical Approach In effect, the present reality requires innovative approaches and combined measures. For that reason, we suggest that a public administration ethics framing can be consummate with the following joint procedures:

In effect, the present reality requires innovative approaches and combined measures.

For that reason, we suggest that a public administration ethics framing can be consummate with the following joint procedures:

New Ethical Approach Accountability Tools Conduct Codes Monitoring Mechanisms ( e.g. internal and external questionnaires) Development of Supportive Structures (to encourage ethical conduct and to reward those who act morally)

Accountability Tools

Conduct Codes

Monitoring Mechanisms ( e.g. internal and external questionnaires)

Development of Supportive Structures (to encourage ethical conduct and to reward those who act morally)

New Ethical Approach Implementation of Audit Methods at Inter-governmental level Professional Socialization (e.g. formation, awareness and training) Introduction of whistle-blowing systems (in a careful way)

Implementation of Audit Methods at Inter-governmental level

Professional Socialization (e.g. formation, awareness and training)

Introduction of whistle-blowing systems (in a careful way)

New Ethical Approach A stronger appeal to the active participation of citizens (for instance in the denunciation of bad practices) Definition of Leadership Responsibilities Assertive Communication

A stronger appeal to the active participation of citizens (for instance in the denunciation of bad practices)

Definition of Leadership Responsibilities

Assertive Communication

Authors João Bilhim [email_address] www.iscsp.utl.pt / ~j.bilhim Bárbara Neves [email_address]

Centre for Public Administration & Policies http://capp.iscsp.utl.pt