Australasian Political Studies Association Conference 2003
Hosted by the School of Government
University of Tasmania

Public Policy Stream

Theorising Ethical Dilemmas Faced by
Senior Public Servants: An Excursion into
Australian Public Sector Ethics

Dr Megan Kimber
Dr Lisa Ehrich
Dr Neil Cranston
School of Learning and Professional Studies, Faculty of Education
Queensland University of Technology

Abstract:

Recent events have focused attention on the decision-making processes used in the public sector and on the conduct of senior public servants in making these decisions. Yet public sector ethics, and ethical dilemmas in particular, is an undertheorised area of research in Australia. In this paper we propose a model illustrating the components and process involved in identifying and resolving an ethical dilemma. This model was developed through literary analysis and a pilot study entailing semi-structured in-depth interviews with six recently retired or separated senior public servants to investigate the way in which they identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. Components of the model include: the critical situation that triggers the ethical dilemma; nine factors that impact on how the public servant views the situation and the options that s/he sees available to her/him in resolving the dilemma; and the implications arising from the decision that the public servant makes.

To provide an understanding of the model we begin this paper by briefly considering the context from which the current focus on public sector ethics has emerged. Here the paper concentrates on the managerial reforms to the public sector and citizens’ declining trust in public institutions. We then canvass four theoretical approaches to ethics and ethical dilemmas. These approaches are consequentialism, non-consequentialism, virtue ethics and institutional ethics. It is suggested that institutional ethics may provide the most assistance to public officials because its proponents stress ongoing debate and discussion over the values of, and justifications for, the institution. They argue that the justifications that organisational members give to citizens must demonstrate how the institution serves the public interest. The paper then discusses the model illustrating how leaders might identify and resolve an ethical dilemma. Finally, we briefly consider some of the implications of the research.

*This study was funded in part by the Institute of Public Administration Australia/University of Canberra Public Administration Research Trust Fund and the Centre for Innovation in Education, Queensland University of Technology.