Implementation, communication and benefits of public sector codes of ethics: A longitudinal study of Sweden
International Journal of Public Sector Management
ISSN: 0951-3558
Article publication date: 29 May 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation, communication and benefits of codes of ethics in the public sector of Sweden.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a longitudinal approach. It examines the ethos of codes of ethics in the largest public sector organizations of Sweden in 2001‐2002 and 2005‐2006.
Findings
Only a few of the largest public sector organizations in Sweden have indicated that they possess codes of ethics. This finding may be explained by the current judicial legislation that governs Swedish society. The public codes of ethics have been established both recently and, in part, years ago.
Research limitations/implications
A suggestion for further research would be to examine the implementation, communication and perceived benefits of public sector codes of ethics in other countries. Another area of further research would be to replicate the reported surveys in the future to examine the existence of potential trends.
Practical implications
When it comes to the perceived benefits of public sector codes of ethics there appears to be only minor acknowledgement of the code being used to resolve ethical problems in society. However, there is a strong conviction that the code of ethics positively influences the operations of public sector organizations.
Originality/value
The paper examines the ethical implementation, communication and benefits put in place by private companies to embed codes of ethics into their organizations.
Keywords
Citation
Svensson, G. and Wood, G. (2009), "Implementation, communication and benefits of public sector codes of ethics: A longitudinal study of Sweden", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 364-379. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550910961637
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited