Description

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Education
Saudi Electronic University

College of Administrative and Financial Sciences

Assignment-3
MGT324-Public Management
Due Date: 26/04/2025 @ 23:59 (End of Week 12)
Course Name: Public Management
Course Code: MGT324

Student’s Name:

Semester: Second

CRN:

Student’s ID Number:

Academic Year: 2024-2025 (1446 H)

For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade: Marks Obtained / Out of 10 Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
General Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•

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The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via
allocated folder.
Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented; marks may be
reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover
page.
Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
Late submission will NOT be accepted.
Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students
or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No
exceptions.
All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced)
font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered
plagiarism).
Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the fundamental theories of public sector management.
2. Ability to rise to ethical issues and challenges in the context of public management

Assignment Questions

(Marks 10)

1. “Administrative ethics cannot be achieved without professional competence”.
With the help of suitable examples discuss the significance of ethics in public
administration. (About 500 words) (5 Marks)

2. Prepare a General Framework for the Ethics of Public Administration of an
organization you are familiar with and discuss the codes of ethics and ways in which
public administrators can combat corruption. (About 500 words) (5 Marks)

Answers:
1.
2.

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‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
‫وزارة التعليم‬
‫الجامعة السعودية اإللكترونية‬

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Education
Saudi Electronic University

College of Administrative and Financial Sciences

Assignment-3
MGT324-Public Management
Due Date: 26/04/2025 @ 23:59 (End of Week 12)
Course Name: Public Management
Course Code: MGT324

Student’s Name: SEU ELITE

Semester: Second

CRN:

Student’s ID Number:

Academic Year: 2024-2025 (1446 H)

For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade: Marks Obtained / Out of 10 Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
General Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Restricted – ‫مقيد‬

The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via
allocated folder.
Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented; marks may be
reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover
page.
Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
Late submission will NOT be accepted.
Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students
or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No
exceptions.
All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced)
font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered
plagiarism).
Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the fundamental theories of public sector management.
2. Ability to rise to ethical issues and challenges in the context of public management

Assignment Questions

(Marks 10)

1. “Administrative ethics cannot be achieved without professional competence”.
With the help of suitable examples discuss the significance of ethics in public
administration. (About 500 words) (5 Marks)

2. Prepare a General Framework for the Ethics of Public Administration of an
organization you are familiar with and discuss the codes of ethics and ways in which
public administrators can combat corruption. (About 500 words) (5 Marks)

Answers:
1. The Significance of Ethics in Public Administration
Ethics in public administration refers to the principles and values that govern the behavior
of public officials and institutions. It plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability,
transparency, and fairness in the delivery of public services. The statement,
“Administrative ethics cannot be achieved without professional competence,” highlights
the interplay between ethical behavior and professional expertise. Ethics without
competence may lead to ineffective administration, while competence without ethics can
result in misuse of power and corruption. This synergy between ethics and competence is
the backbone of good governance.
Ethics in public administration ensures that public officials act in the public’s best interest,
uphold the rule of law, and maintain integrity. For instance, a public servant responsible
for procurement must ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit and transparency
rather than favoritism or bribery. If such an official lacks professional competence—such
as the ability to evaluate tenders effectively—they may inadvertently compromise ethics,
even with good intentions. On the flip side, a highly competent official without ethical
moorings might exploit their knowledge to manipulate procedures for personal gain. This

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dual reliance on ethics and competence is evident in the management of public resources,
policy implementation, and service delivery.
Professional competence is essential for public administrators to make informed and
equitable decisions. For example, during a natural disaster, ethical principles such as equity
and fairness demand that relief be distributed impartially. However, without the
professional competence to assess the extent of damage, allocate resources efficiently, and
coordinate with stakeholders, the ethical goal of equitable distribution cannot be achieved.
Thus, ethics and competence are interdependent, as decisions made in public
administration often have far-reaching consequences on citizens’ lives.
The importance of ethics in public administration can also be seen in the prevention of
corruption and abuse of power. Ethical principles such as honesty, accountability, and
impartiality serve as safeguards against malpractices. Yet, these principles are meaningful
only when combined with the technical knowledge and skills required for effective
governance. A real-world example is the case of the Flint water crisis in Michigan, where
administrative failures and ethical lapses caused severe public health risks. While some
officials lacked the competence to address water contamination, others ignored ethical
responsibilities by withholding information from the public. This case underscores that
administrative ethics and professional competence must go hand-in-hand to protect public
welfare.
Moreover, ethics fosters trust between the government and citizens. Public administrators
who exhibit ethical behavior and demonstrate professional competence build confidence
in institutions, which is crucial for social cohesion and democratic governance. For
instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ethical and competent public administrators
worldwide worked tirelessly to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines, gaining public
trust and ensuring compliance with health measures. In contrast, ethical lapses or
administrative incompetence in some countries led to vaccine hoarding or inefficiencies,
undermining public trust.
Administrative ethics is indispensable for good governance and sustainable development.
However, it cannot be achieved without professional competence. Together, they enable
public administrators to uphold public trust, deliver quality services, and make decisions
that align with ethical principles. As public administration continues to evolve, the
integration of ethics and competence should remain a priority to address complex societal
challenges effectively.

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2. A General Framework for the Ethics of Public Administration
The ethics of public administration within an organization is grounded in principles that
prioritize accountability, transparency, equity, and service to the public. A robust ethical
framework ensures that public administrators act in alignment with these values while
fulfilling their professional duties. For this discussion, the framework is modeled on the
practices of a public health agency tasked with delivering healthcare services to
underserved communities. Such an organization operates at the intersection of
administrative efficiency and moral responsibility, making ethical governance essential.
Core Principles of the Ethical Framework
1. Accountability and Transparency: Public administrators must maintain openness in
decision-making processes and remain accountable for their actions. This principle ensures
that the agency’s objectives, such as equitable access to healthcare services, are achieved
without bias or favoritism.
2. Integrity and Impartiality: Actions must be guided by honesty and fairness. For example,
in resource allocation for medical supplies, decisions should be based on need rather than
external pressures or personal benefits.
3. Equity and Inclusivity: Ensuring that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status,
have access to healthcare services is a central ethical obligation. Public administrators must
actively combat systemic inequities.
4. Public Interest First: The agency’s actions should always prioritize the well-being of the
public over personal or political interests.
Codes of Ethics
The organization can adopt a formal code of ethics tailored to its mission. Key elements of
this code include:
– Commitment to Service: Administrators must strive to serve communities with
compassion and efficiency, ensuring that public resources are utilized for the greatest
common good.
– Conflict of Interest Policy: Employees must disclose and avoid any personal or financial
interests that could compromise their professional judgment.
– Whistleblower Protection: The organization should create a safe environment for
reporting unethical practices to prevent retaliation and encourage accountability.
– Professional Excellence: Staff must continuously enhance their competence through
training and remain updated on best practices in public administration and healthcare
delivery.

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Combating Corruption
To combat corruption, public administrators need to implement a combination of
preventive and corrective measures. First, transparency mechanisms such as open
procurement processes and public disclosure of budgets can reduce opportunities for
corrupt practices. For instance, publishing contract awards for medical supplies allows
public scrutiny, deterring malfeasance.
Second, strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws and regulations is vital. Administrators
must ensure that violations such as bribery, embezzlement, and favoritism are met with
appropriate penalties. Establishing an independent ethics committee to investigate
allegations of corruption can bolster accountability.
Third, promoting a culture of ethics through regular training and awareness programs is
critical. Public administrators should be educated about the long-term consequences of
corruption on public trust and organizational effectiveness.
Lastly, adopting technology-driven solutions can minimize corruption. For example, using
digital platforms for service delivery or inventory management can create a tamper-proof
record of transactions, reducing opportunities for fraudulent activities.
An effective ethical framework for public administration integrates clear principles, a
robust code of ethics, and actionable strategies to combat corruption. By fostering a culture
of integrity, transparency, and accountability, public administrators can build trust with
citizens and ensure effective governance. The public health agency example demonstrates
how ethical principles guide decision-making and resource allocation in a way that upholds
public welfare and combats corruption.

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References
Holzer, M., & Schwester, R. W. (2014c). Public Administration: An Introduction.
Routledge.
Denhardt, R. B., Denhardt, J. V., & Blanc, T. A. (2019). Public administration: An action
orientation. Cengage Learning.
Frederickson, H. G., Smith, K. B., Larimer, C. W., & Licari, M. J. (2021). The public
administration theory primer. Routledge.
Cooper, T. L. (2012). The responsible administrator: An approach to ethics for the
administrative role. Jossey-Bass.

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