Ethical codes in local government: the problem of gifting -

Views of the Finnish Councillors

Authors

  • Ari Salminen University of Vaasa, Finland
  • Lotta Pitkänen University of Vaasa, Finland
  • Lauri Heiskanen University of Vaasa, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v21i1.14971

Keywords:

Ethical codes, Gifting, Survey, Local government, High and low roads of ethics

Abstract

The article explores the purpose of ethical codes in Finnish local government and discusses such topics as identification of codes and dilemmas, ethical awareness of gifting, role of codes and need of codes. The data is based on the Councilor Survey. The respondents of the survey are the members of Finnish municipal councils. The Survey is targeted to the 200 biggest municipalities and was distributed to the councilors in November 2012. More than 5000 persons received the questionnaire, which was returned by nearly 1300.

According to the results, the recognition of ethical codes is low among the councilors. The amount of those who operate without the guidance of codes is remarkable. The councilors are aware what is and what is not acceptable in gifting and are convinced that they are capable of self-control when it comes to potential integrity violations.

The attitudes towards the role of codes are contradictory. The councilors want more detailed guidance. They still emphasize that codes should leave room for their own discretion. The need for more regulation by codes is stressed by the councilors. The codes should be targeted for specific issues and the elected members should have their own ethical codes.

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Author Biographies

Ari Salminen, University of Vaasa, Finland

Ari Salminen is a professor in the Department of Public Management at the University of Vaasa. His research interests include the theory and methodology of public administration, the study of public sector organisations, and ethics. He has written extensively on public sector management and ethics.

Lotta Pitkänen, University of Vaasa, Finland

Lotta Pitkänen is a PhD student in the Department of Public Management at the University of Vaasa. Her research interests include ethical management and leadership in public sector organisations.

Lauri Heiskanen, University of Vaasa, Finland

Lauri Heiskanen is a researcher in the Department of Public Management at the University of Vaasa. His research interests include ethical codes and whistleblowing.

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Published

2016-03-15

How to Cite

Salminen, A., Pitkänen, L., & Heiskanen, L. (2016). Ethical codes in local government: the problem of gifting -: Views of the Finnish Councillors. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 21(1), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v21i1.14971

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Original Articles

License

Creative Commons License

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Authors contributing to Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration agree to publish their articles under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 license. This means means articles are free for anybody to read and download, and to copy and disseminate for non-commercial purposes as long as appropriate credit is given, a link is provided to the license, and any changes made are clearly indicated. Authors retain copyright of their work.

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