Open Access Article SciPap-1001
Ethics and Integrity of the Public Administration of the Czech Republic
by Marie Bohatá 1,*

1 , CERGE-NHÚ, Politických vězňů 7, Praha 1 11000, Czechia

* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: The aim of the article is threefold: to open an academic debate in the area of public ethics and integrity in the Czech Republic, to briefly explain an effective framework inspired by the OECD work on public governance, anti-corruption initiatives and the most recent integrity strategy which underpins the governance of globalisation, and to present main features of the current situation in the Czech public administration from the ethics perspective. Public integrity aligning shared values, principles and ethical norms for upholding the public interest over private interests in the public sector is considered essential to the economic and social well-being of individuals and societies. The current situation in the Czech public administration is illustrated using results of an empirical research conducted within a research project aiming at developing a comprehensive training programme on ethics and integrity for civil servants and officials of self-administration. A survey among the civil servants and employees of self-administration is at the core of this research. Findings are interpreted in the context of the OECD integrity system and represent a basis for the design of tailor-made ethics courses and training tools.

Keywords: Ethics, Integrity, Public Administration, Ethical Codes

JEL classification:   A13 - Relation of Economics to Social Values,   D72 - Political Processes: Rent-Seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior,   D73 - Bureaucracy • Administrative Processes in Public Organizations • Corruption,   D91 - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making,   H83 - Public Administration • Public Sector Accounting and Audits

SciPap 2019, 27(3), 1001

Received: 13 January 2019 / Accepted: 9 December 2019 / Published: 30 December 2019