| Abstract [eng] |
There are a multitude of policies, strategies and programmes directed at the rendering of effective services to the citizens in Latvia and Lithuania. However, this aim is often time not achieved due to the increasing levels of unethical practices in the public sector. Ethical expectations in the public service are daily getting higher. This change in ethical expectation affects all countries with no exception. The emerging global trend in public work is the level of work ethical values that is domiciled within local government organizations. The local government, in a democratic state, is expected to be responsive to the needs of the people. The realization of such an expectation is often dependent on public servant’s commitment to maintaining acceptable standards of service delivery. In lieu of the above, the main aim of this study was to examine ethical values as tools for effective local government administration in Riga and Vilnius. The research questions that ensured fulfillment of the aim include the extent ethical value affect municipal service delivery in Riga, and Vilnius, the relationship between unethical practices and service delivery in the local government sector as well as the extent of involvement of public servants in unethical practices affect the productive capacity of local government. Qualitative comparative case study analysis was employed as the methodology for the research. Both expert and informant interview were used as data collection tools. The research found that economic, socio-cultural, lack of training and development; political, value system and lack of defined ethical standards are the main causes of unethical behavior in the public sector. The impacts of unethical practices in service delivery are outlined. The research concluded on the premise that, public official.ls in Riga and Vilnius are not well paid which in effect affects their service delivery and most of them indulge in unethical behaviour in the delivery of public service. |
