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Ethical leadership and public accountability: Problematiques of South Africa's State-Owned Enterprises

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  • F. K. L. Kgobe

    (University of Limpopo)

  • K. R. Chauke

    (University of Limpopo)

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the potency of ethical frameworks in the advent of a democratic dispensation in State-Owned Enterprises in an attempt to address conundrums of unethical leadership and devastating public accountability. This paper argues that South Africa is grappling with fitting in the notion of ethos and accountability. On the same line, the contestation about the impasse of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) befits germane in the topical and constant political transformation in South Africa. SOEs endure eccentric to those serving it and those who benefit from it, leading to a lack of orthodoxy by public officials to ethical framework prescribed and contemplated in legislation for good conduct in public services. Ethical leadership and public accountability are two sides of the same coin; however, they serve as a nut and bolt of a well-functioning public administration. The two are inseparable. The paper is theoretical as such, and it is epistemologically juxtaposed and grounded or underpinned by agency theory and its ideals. Be that as it may, it further depends on literature base review for its premise, argument, crux, and purpose and drawing up results and conclusion. Thus, the paper gathers information regarding the various scholars' notions on ethical leadership and public accountability from related articles, journals, and books. The paper reveals that the South African State-Owned Enterprises are antagonized and branded by unethical leaders and public accountability challenges. At this juncture, the SOEs are faced with poor fiscal coordination and management. The paper further reveals that the SOEs are swimming in the pool of debts. The conclusion that can be deduced from this paper is that it calls for strengthening and reforming all legislative prescripts that govern the State-Owned Enterprises. Public administrators must avoid incubating politicians as it creates the ground for corruption and various types of ethical dilemmas.

Suggested Citation

  • F. K. L. Kgobe & K. R. Chauke, 2021. "Ethical leadership and public accountability: Problematiques of South Africa's State-Owned Enterprises," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 26(1), pages 43-53, Decembrie.
    • Handle: RePEc:tec:journl:v:26:y:2021:i:1:p:43-53
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v26i1.5165
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandra Allini & Francesca Manes Rossi & Khaled Hussainey, 2016. "The board's role in risk disclosure: an exploratory study of Italian listed state-owned enterprises," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 113-120, March.
    2. Tebogo Magang & Koketso Kube, 2018. "Compliance with Best Practice Governance Principles by State Owned Enterprises in Botswana," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(2), pages 149-149, January.
    3. Heo,Kyoungsun, 2018. "Effects of corporate governance on the performance of state-owned enterprises," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8555, The World Bank.
    4. Cheteni, Priviledge & Shindika, Emmanuel, 2016. "Ethical Leadership in South Africa and Botswana," MPRA Paper 80968, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 06 Mar 2017.
    5. Sara Sultan Balbuena, 2014. "State-owned Enterprises in Southern Africa: A Stocktaking of Reforms and Challenges," OECD Corporate Governance Working Papers 13, OECD Publishing.
    6. Daniel Gberevbie & Segun Joshua & Nchekwube Excellence-Oluye & Adeola Oyeyemi, 2017. "Accountability for Sustainable Development and the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria, 1999-2015," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(4), pages 21582440177, November.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ethical Leadership; Public Accountability; State-Owned Enterprises; Public Administration; unethical conduct; Corruption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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