Predictors of ethical code use and ethical tolerance in the public sector

This paper reports the results of a survey of ethical attitudes, values, an d propensities in public sector employees in Australia. It was expected tha t demographic variables, personal values, and contextual variables at the i ndividual level, and group- and organisational-level values would predict u se of formal codes of ethics and ethical tolerance (tolerance of unethical behaviour). Useable data were received from 500 respondents selected at ran dom across public sector organisations in a single Australian state. Result s supported the study hypotheses, but indicated that different mechanisms u nderlie each of the criterion variables. Use of ethical codes was determine d primarily on the basis of a perception that others use the code, while et hical tolerance was determined by personal values. At an applied level, the research highlights the need for orgasnizations to establish a critical ma ss of code users, so that this operates as a normative influence on others in the organization.