Sector Integrity Research Articles

Taking Stock of 30 Years of CEE Transformation: Institutionalisation of Public Sector Integrity Management in Estonia

Abstract The article takes an in-depth look at integrity management reforms in the context of Central and Eastern European post-communist transformation. Despite the centrality of integrity management for post-communist administrative change, there is only limited longitudinal research on the topic and no ready-made theoretical frameworks available for analysis. The article tackles both gaps. By relying on an analytical framework that combines values-based and compliance-based systems, integrity management functions, and factors of institutional change, the study examines the institutionalisation of public sector integrity management in Estonia. The article concludes that the development of the Estonian system and its evolution from an initial compliance-based approach towards a more values-based approach has been shaped by a combination of factors: the desire to overcome the country’s communist legacy, pressure and examples from the international level, and the strategies of politico-administrative actors. Reliance on a system with “softer” instruments has been facilitated by radical changes in the initial phase of transformation, a decrease in the level of corruption, the constraints of a decentralised administrative system, and an increase in administrative capacity and expertise.

Modernization of the State: The Role of Open Government in the Effectiveness of Municipal Management in San Martín, Peru

The study aimed to establish the relationship between open government and the effectiveness of municipal management in the San Martín region, employing a basic quantitative research approach, a non-experimental design, and a descriptive correlational and cross-sectional scope. The population comprised 926,000 citizens, from which a sample of 1,537 was selected. The survey technique was used with two questionnaires, one for each variable. Regarding the dimensions of open government, the results showed a transparency level categorized as regular at 60%, deficient at 30%, and good at 10%; public sector integrity was rated as regular at 62%, deficient at 27%, and good at 12%; accountability was evaluated as regular at 46%, deficient at 38%, and good at 16%; and citizen and stakeholder participation achieved a regular level of 55%, deficient at 35%, and good at 10%. Concerning the effectiveness of municipal management, the evaluated dimensions showed that equipment and information and communication technologies were classified as regular at 60%, good at 20%, and deficient at 14%; human resources were assessed as regular at 64%, deficient at 21%, and good at 15%; municipal competencies and functions were rated as regular at 67%, good at 17%, and deficient at 16%; and local public services were reported as regular at 63%, deficient at 19%, and good at 18%. Finally, it was concluded that there is a high and significant positive relationship between open government and the effectiveness of municipal management, with a Spearman's Rho coefficient of 0.824 (high positive correlation) and a p-value of 0.000 (p ≤ 0.01), estimating an incidence of 74% between both variables.

Correlations between optic nerve OCT and macular functional alterations in patients who undergone successful RRD surgery

Purpose: The aim is to study the correlation between macular function measured by macular integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimetry and optic nerve (ON) evaluated by ON optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients undergoing surgery after RRD.Methods: Cross‐sectional unicentric study including 64 eyes with RRD surgically treated compared with 136 healthy eyes. All underwent an ophthalmological examination including MAIA and ON OCT according to the total retina (TR) protocol and the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) protocol.Results: Significant decrease in sensitivity and Macular Average Threshold were achieved in RRD group while macular integrity was higher. Temporal (T) sector of the TR protocol and superior (S) and inferior (I) sectors of the RNFL protocol showed greater thickness in the RRD group. Positive correlations were achieved between S sector of the OCT in both protocols and fixation stability P1; nasal (N) sector in the TR protocol and MAIA inferior outer (IO) sector; I sector in the TR protocol and MAIA IO and inferior inner (II) sectors while in the RNFL protocol with MAIA IO sector; T sector in the TR protocol and Macular Average Threshold; C (central) sector in the TR protocol and MAIA IO and II sectors. Negative correlations were showed between S sector in the RNFL protocol and MAIA C sector while in the TR protocol with BCEA 63% area; N sector in the RNFL protocol and MAIA central nasal (CN) sector; I sector in the RNFL protocol and MAIA IO sector and Macular Integrity; T sector in the RNFL protocol and MAIA C sector while in the TR protocol with BCEA 63% and 95% angles; C sector in the RNFL protocol and MAIA C and CN sectors.Conclusions: RRD causes loss of macular sensitivity together with anatomical changes in the ON. Inferior sectors of MAIA showed more correlations with the OCT TR protocol while C sectors correlated with the RNFL protocol.

Asserting integrity in Mexico's civic sector

AbstractIn societies where civic space is closing, integrity in the civic sector is critical for its sustainability. Where state regulatory frameworks are inadequate, or worse, manipulative, self‐regulation can help defend the sector's integrity and strengthen the ability of civic associations to serve the public and contribute to democracy. This paper describes the strategic role in self‐regulation of a particular type of third sector actor in Mexico, the coordinating body or civic network. A case study of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) and its Accreditation in Institutionalization and Transparency project illustrates the contribution of NGO networks in service to the sector, and their key role in diffusion of norms of transparency and accountability within the civic sector and beyond.

Factors influencing the level of ethics and integrity in Malaysian public sector

PurposeThe aim of this study is to look into the factors that influence the level of ethics and integrity in Malaysian public sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a quantitative approach by delivering 128 questionnaires to Federal Chief Integrity Officers (CIOs), of which 83 were received and usable. The data were analysed using multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics.FindingsThe quality of CIO in terms of competency, work performance and ethical climate has significant impact on the level of ethics and integrity. According to the study, having certified CIOs who can effectively perform their function and promote and nurture a transparent ethical climate are critical for the Malaysian Federal government to maintain a high level of ethics. Employees who have a high level of ethics are more likely to stay with the organization.Practical implicationsIn addition, this study will assist policymakers in taking the required actions to strengthen public sector integrity practices for the establishment of a more dependable and efficient government in Malaysia.Originality/valueThis study addresses a gap in the Malaysian public sector’s level of ethics and integrity.

Strengthening Public Sector Integrity: The Role of Internal Control and Compliance in Combating Corruption


 
 
 Objective: The aim of this article is to conceptualize internal control and compliance, presenting the contributions that these areas, working together, would provide to the public sector in preventing bribery and corruption crimes. It addresses the structures of internal control and the pillars for implementing a compliance area, as well as the necessary requirements for integrated and coordinated action in a State or Municipal Controller's Office. Finally, it lists the main risks and challenges for the effective joint performance of these distinguished functions.
 Methodology: The hypothetical-deductive approach is used, starting from the general to the particular, through reasoning in doctrine and legislation, in order to reach a conclusion. Regarding research techniques, readings and consultations are used in works, scientific articles, domestic and comparative law.
 Contributions: The main contribution of this research is to highlight the importance of implementing a compliance structure as an integral part of the State's Internal Control in all government spheres, addressing the benefits and challenges for its institution, in order to encourage and provide subsidies in the process of implementing and managing public compliance as a primary tool in combating corruption and deviations of conduct in the conduct of public policies.
 
 
 
 
 

Public Sector Integrity Violations

Objective - Integrity violations can result in small or large financial losses for a community or organisation. These economic losses can be the result of small actions, such as laziness or no determination of work ethics, or large losses, such as corruption practices that can cause an organisation to lose large amounts of money and suffer damage to their reputation. The study will assess the levels of public sector integrity violations among Malaysian government employees. Methodology/Technique – Previous studies have shown that serious integrity violations, such as fraud, result in major economic loss to a country. This paper explores the perceptions of 616 Malaysian government civil servants who were surveyed regarding matters of integrity violations in their working environment. Surveys were distributed using mail and online distribution formats. The level of integrity violations within the respondent’s organisations were evaluated as weak, mild or strong. Finding - The results indicate that employees in Malaysia are focused on their personal and family relationships despite the fact that this is considered as integrity violations within their organisation. Novelty - This research provides an overview of the current stage of Malaysian integrity violations and demonstrates the need for improvement in this area. The research also provides valuable insight to managers to improve their control over the organisation. Type of Paper: Empirical

Building public sector integrity in Indonesia: the role and challenges of ethical leadership

Many public sector organisations in developing countries are working ineffectively, which is due considerably to weak standards of governance that result in widespread corruption. Accordingly, this article considers how a public organisation in a corrupt political-economic environment can successfully implement measures to enhance its integrity through an emphasis especially on the role and challenges of ethical leadership. The particular focus is a large state-owned enterprise responsible for the distribution of electricity in Indonesia. The discussion is based on responses to a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, with the findings confirming that ethical leadership at various levels within and beyond an organisation plays a pivotal role in fostering and maintaining high organisational integrity.

Accountability in Regulatory Reform: Australia's Superannuation Industry Paradox

AbstractThe Australian Superannuation Industry is generally seen as very strong and successful by global standards. However, three decades of legislative reform in the Australian superannuation industry have created a paradox: ongoing reforms but continuing dissatisfaction with areas of governance and outcomes. These include high levels of administrative and investment fees, and systematic problems around a culture of conflicted investment advice.In seeking to further elaborate and then resolve this paradox, this article draws upon an extensive research project conducted by the authors within the Australian superannuation industry, including three voluntary and anonymous surveys of superannuation trustees/licensees. This research has revealed that fund members are vulnerable to significant and expanding private-interest rents generated by the financial services sector. This may be explained by regulatory capture mechanisms variously described as statutory, agency, corrosive and intellectual capture.The article examines ways to better achieve public interest outcomes, and at a time when public sector integrity remains an area of particular attention, how more can be done to blunt the force of private interest rent seeking.

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Internal Audit Control in Ensuring Public and Private Sector Integrity and Accountability (A Case of Ghana Agric. Development Bank and the Fan Milk Industry-Ghana)

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Internal Audit Control in Ensuring Public and Private Sector Integrity and Accountability (A Case of Ghana Agric. Development Bank and the Fan Milk Industry-Ghana)

Fighting Corruption in Education: A Call for Sector Integrity Standards

Education today is a high-stake sector and increasingly vulnerable to corruption. Yet, despite all efforts there is still no certainty on how to best protect it from “harm”. The problem is partially due to a lack of consensus on what constitutes malpractice in education. The article argues in favor of mobilizing new insights from education research and anti-corruption policy for the development of sector standards of integral behavior. It discusses a systemic, service based approach around which this could be done and the responsibility of education practitioners and policy makers in the endeavor. It also suggests that measures to prevent corruption in education should be more sector-specific and target not only criminal offenses, but also “softer”, yet equally harmful forms of malpractice.

Police independent oversight in Australia and New Zealand

The purpose of this article is to describe the system of independent oversight of policing organizations in Australia and New Zealand to discuss the effectiveness and accountability of those organizations. After defining what is meant by independent oversight and its importance to democratic policing systems, it covers the background and history of these bodies. Information was obtained from desk research examining publicly available documents such as annual reports and other published sources; also practitioners from independent oversight bodies were interviewed from four out of the possible nine organizations. Analysis of the information revealed a wide variety of scope, capability and functions within the bodies researched which indicated there was no commonality of constitution or investigation operating procedures although there was considerable development of the oversight function in the last fifty years. Many organizational developments were noted and the general movement towards cross-public sector integrity commissions.

Towards a Model Public Sector Integrity Commission

This article examines the current debate in Australia about public sector integrity and the idea of a standing anticorruption commission. From this debate the article outlines a specific type of ‘public sector integrity commission’ that in principle should have the necessary powers and techniques at its disposal to minimise corruption while ensuring efficiency and fairness. The debate has been most active in jurisdictions that have not had an anticorruption commission – mainly in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania – but debate about integrity commissions has occurred in all jurisdictions. The authors argue that anticorruption commissions are essential to ensure the integrity of the public sector and that a model commission should: cover all elements of the public sector; independently investigate serious and mid-level complaints; have own motion powers to investigate any matter; have summary authority to apply administrative sanctions; make use of a range of investigative tools; not be tasked with combating major and organised crime; and be held accountable to citizens through a parliamentary committee and a parliamentary inspector.

Taking Stock of the First Generation of Financial Sector Legal Reform

The World Bank Group has promoted access instruments in the financial sector (e.g., microfinance and small- and medium-enterprise projects) for many years. More recently, it has conducted major studies on financial system access and implemented projects involving rural financing, cooperative financial institutions, the down-scaling of commercial banking institutions, and home financing for the poor. Germane to this paper, the Group has been closely involved through its structural adjustment and technical assistance programs (and more recently its Financial Sector Assessment program) with financial sector legal reform initiatives respecting developing, emerging and transitioning economies This paper contends that the first generation of financial sector legal reform (particularly that related to policies and infrastructure) is really of relatively recent vintage. Historically, such reform has not been a core function of the World Bank or other international financial institutions (IFIs). The reform process has been mainly crisis-oriented and reactive by necessity, driven largely by the systemic objectives of industrialized countries to prevent financial crises and related contagion, foster global financial stability, and, more recently, maintain financial sector integrity. The first generation of reform did not benefit from a conducive reform environment nor, until the recent past, a clearly thought-through approach to incorporating such developmental factors as access and equality into reform processes. This paper suggests that the World Bank Group should step back and take stock of what the preceding stage of financial sector reform has and has not achieved in order to discern appropriate lessons for the next generation of reform. The Bank's fundamental mandate as a development bank, its current primary mission of poverty alleviation, and its evolving institutional profile as a knowledge-based bank should provide the overarching context for this new generation of reform.

Mapping the New South Wales Public Integrity System

This article summaries conclusions from the New South Wales public sector component of the National Integrity System Assessment. The evidence here suggests that the NSW public sector integrity activity is relatively complex and that the existence of multiple integrity agencies has disadvantages for complainants, integrity agencies and agencies under their scrutiny. The coherence of the NSW integrity system must therefore be questioned. The capacity of integrity agencies is hard to determine, with money and staffing levels not in themselves resolving debate over where capacity ought to be directed. The evidence suggests that the long-running debate between those who want capacity directed to coercive investigations and those who want it aimed at systemic and cultural change is a false one, with the best strategies coupling the two types of activity. Judgements differ on the consequences of public sector integrity activity. Greater agreement exists that integrity has improved over the last decade or so, but while external integrity oversight appears to be responsible for some of that improvement, activities within public sector agencies appear to have been equally important.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Police Complaints and Discipline: Towards a Civilian Control Model

This paper examines the case for independent investigation and adjudication of complaints against police, and the implications for restructuring of public sector institutions concerned with integrity. The need for external review of police in-house investigations is well established. However, there is now an accelerating trend for civilian agencies to go beyond review to engage directly in investigations and to have much greater input into disciplinary decisions.This paper reports on the experiences and principles behind this trend, focusing on the points of view of specific actors and stakeholders.These include commissions of inquiry, oversight agencies, complainants, police, the public, civil liberties groups, government review bodies and miscellaneous bodies. The perspectives of each of the groups were analysed to develop a distinctive “civilian control model” for maximising stakeholder confidence in police integrity.The model entails police management responsibility for primary misconduct prevention and informal resolution of complaints, with external agencies having control over the investigation and adjudication of complaints.The paper also argues for efficiency gains from integrating police oversight within a larger public sector integrity commission, especially in countries with large numbers of small police departments.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Police Complaints and Discipline: Towards a Civilian Control Model

This paper examines the case for independent investigation and adjudication of complaints against police, and the implications for restructuring of public sector institutions concerned with integrity. The need for external review of police in-house investigations is well established. However, there is now an accelerating trend for civilian agencies to go beyond review to engage directly in investigations and to have much greater input into disciplinary decisions.This paper reports on the experiences and principles behind this trend, focusing on the points of view of specific actors and stakeholders.These include commissions of inquiry, oversight agencies, complainants, police, the public, civil liberties groups, government review bodies and miscellaneous bodies. The perspectives of each of the groups were analysed to develop a distinctive “civilian control model” for maximising stakeholder confidence in police integrity.The model entails police management responsibility for primary misconduct prevention and informal resolution of complaints, with external agencies having control over the investigation and adjudication of complaints.The paper also argues for efficiency gains from integrating police oversight within a larger public sector integrity commission, especially in countries with large numbers of small police departments.

Records Management Capacity Assessment System (RMCAS)

The International Records Management Trust has demonstrated that there is currently little capacity or infrastructure in the developing world for managing government records as authentic evidence of policies, transactions, activities and entitlements. Records management itself will not halt corruption and bring about accountability, but it is an essential contributor to public sector integrity. The Records Management Capacity Assessment System (RMCAS) provides a means of assessing records management policies, procedures and resources against established international standards. It uses a diagnostic model, based on the records life cycle, to identify strengths, weaknesses and risk areas, and links with a database of training and capacity-building materials that can be used to plan improvements. Designed initially to measure records and information systems in the financial management, human resource management and legal and judicial areas, it can also be applied generically. The RMCAS software application will shortly be available, free of charge, through the Internet or in CD-ROM format. RMCAS can be applied flexibly to take account of variations in size of institutions and the administrative contexts in which they operate, as well as developmental and national aspirations. It can be applied to both paper and digital records and assesses the relationship between paper and electronic systems.