An effectiveness analysis of the U.S. Federal Government executive branch ethics policy and program
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Authors
Stewart, Chanet N.
Subjects
Advisors
Engelbeck, R. Marshall
Date of Issue
2003-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
A Principle-Agent relationship exists between employees of the U.S. Federal Government Executive Branch and the American public, where the employees represent the agent and the American public is the principle. As public servants, whether elected or non-elected, Executive Branch employees are expected to make decisions and spend taxpayer dollars in ways that promote the overall interests of the American public. Public servants regularly encounter situations that would encourage them to place their personal benefit above public benefit. The Executive Branch seeks to minimize these potential conflicts and align the agent's interests with those of the American public through a very detailed and comprehensive ethics program. This thesis sought to assess the effectiveness of the program. Historical development of the program, as well as its current components was explained. A random sample of Executive Branch employees were surveyed to assess their understanding of and compliance with the ethics program. Based on the responses provided in the survey, the researcher concluded, the Executive Branch ethics program is fairly successful in aligning its employees' interests with those of the American public. However, there are areas within the program that could be improved upon, and recommendations specific to these areas are provided at the conclusion of the thesis.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Management
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xii, 135 p. : ill. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.