#Question 1
Sound ethics and good governance models are highly essential for effective and responsible border management. Ethics is generally based on the core values, qualities, and standards that control the management of any institution including the government, companies, and general societies. Ethics govern the behavior and choices of members of such institutions. Ethical behavior in workplace entails values like impartiality, honesty, transparency, equality, justice, and legality among others. Border control and management is a solemn issue that can pose a significant security threat to the entire government when it is not founded on ethics. Border management environments such as customs require players involved in various operations to observe high ethical obligations when carrying out their duties (Downe, Cowell & Morgan, 2016). Every country has different laws that govern entry and exit of goods and people into and out of its borders. The people who operate in border environments responsible for such departments like immigration and custom are supposed to portray high ethical values such as justice, rightfulness, and transparency. Ethical culture in border environments is essential to ensure that a country is secured from such instances like the entry of illegal substances as well as unqualified and illegal immigration which foster insecurity through issues like terrorism.
Customs officials may display various unethical behaviors which in turn affect and translate into risks against the administration of effective and responsible authority in border management. Among common unethical behaviors that are witnessed midst, many customs officials include corruption whereby bureaucrats take bribes and allow entry of harmful and illegal substances like drugs into the country. Among the implications of corruption surrounded by customs officials include wastage of revenue as the government tries to curb the use of such substances like drugs that may have found their way into the country through corruption and negligence of senior officials. Another common unethical behavior among customs officials includes misuse of power and authority where leaders make various choices for their benefits (Lindgreen, 2004). Officials in various posts in customs department may also use their positions to offer employment opportunities to their family members and friends who in some cases may be less qualified and lack basic skills required to perform in such categories. Customs department is under the national government, and, thus, all leaders who are appointed to carry out various functions are expected to be effective and to post great results. In case there are any employment opportunities available in the same departments, they are supposed to advertise such vacancies and allow qualified citizens to apply for the same based on their merit.
Mismanagement and misuse of power results in significant losses since leaders are only concerned with their gains. Besides, fraudulent behavior among officials in public offices such as customs offices is a common issue. Leaders rather than making the best use of various resources available to them for the overall benefit and growth of their departments, they use them wrongly through mismanagement and negligence (Seemela&Mkhonto, 2007). Managers and other officials in top government offices often find themselves tempted to fraudulently misuse resources around them for personal benefits to enhance their public statuses. The results are that there is less development which in turn affects the overall operation and effectiveness of the whole country. Ethics are the basics and foundation to any good governance, which in turn interprets to the success of any given organization.
#Question 2
Many principle elements facilitate good governance in a public sector organization. The number of components that contribute to the quality and effective management are limitless. However, there can be identified some key elements that play a fundamental role in the enhancement of quality leadership and control. Firstly, openness among leaders is one of the elements necessary for quality governance. Officials are required to be open with each other as well as to members and stakeholders. Responsibility is another fundamental requirement for officials, and, thus, leaders are supposed to engage all stakeholders when they are making decisions or undertaking any action (Dose &Klimoski, 2015).
Moreover, officials are supposed to be people of integrity, so that citizens can invest their trust in them. Stewardship, on the other hand, helps officials to look and go for the benefits for all citizens, while at the same time refraining from any decisions that could cause harm to the entire population. Lastly, leadership is a fundamental pillar that ensures quality governance. All officials are supposed to possess leadership qualities such as commitment, hardworking, and motivation among others.
Accordingly, transparency and openness are essential elements that promote good governance. Open and transparent leaders give stakeholders assurance and confidence in various decisions that are made by leaders. When officials are open with their stakeholders, they become more responsible, and, thus, they find it hard to engage in such practices as corruption which tends to compromise governance (Lindgreen, 2004). Accountability and responsibility, on the other hand, ensures that leaders are responsible for both their actions and decisions. By being responsible, officials are answerable to all activities that happen in their offices (Sims, 1992). They are also accountable for any losses and events that happen. Integrity ensures that leaders are straightforward and stakeholders can trust them since they are honest and objective. There can never be any good governance without the element of integrity. It is through integrity that the relationship between officials and stakeholders is fostered and reinforced.
Another fundamental element contributing to good governance is stewardship; where officials in the public sector organizations remain aware that their decisions affect all citizens, and they, therefore make decisions that suit all citizens the best (Pratiwi& Sari, 2017). Stakeholders gain trust with officials who are good stewards, people of integrity, and honest with them. Good governance is built from the relationship between officials and stakeholders. When there is a positive and good relationship between officials in the public sector organizations, leaders remain entitled to ensure that citizens get the best services and that their wellbeing is safeguarded. Efficiency, on the other hand, refers to the effective and best use of available resources with the aim of facilitating the achievement of goals and objectives of the organization (Seemela&Mkhonto, 2007). Lastly, leadership entails a variety of values and qualities. As such, good governance is only attained when officials and governors of different public organizations possess essential leadership traits. It is only through good leadership qualities that officials in public sector organizations can be able to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively and conveniently.
#Question 3
Accountability plays a significant role when it comes to management. The primary objective and considerable part of accountability in management involve building trust among players. This is substantial in fostering the relationships between and among subjects operating in a common environment. When leaders are accountable, they spend less time and effort focusing on the activities that tend to distract their effectiveness and productivity.
Moreover, they can refrain from unproductive activities and behaviors, which would limit their effectiveness when undertaking their leadership roles. Accountability promotes performance when leaders focus on critical and essential activities (Lindgreen, 2004). It further helps to inspire and instill confidence in leaders and managers. When officials realize that they are required to be responsible for every decision and actions they take, their confidence is fostered, and they get motivated to only engage in positive and productive activities only.
There are varied stakeholders in every organization and department. Border management falls under the category of the public sector, with the primary stakeholders being ministers, management, and citizens. Ministers are key principal stakeholders in that they are the topmost officials who overlook all activities in the sector. They further ensure that the funds allocated to the industry are used effectively. Managers, on the other hand, play the role of planning and implementing strategic decisions that in turn facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the office (Sims, 1992). Lastly, citizens are primary stakeholders in that they pay taxes that provide the revenue required to meet the financial requirements in the sector.
The government structure significantly impacts accountability in customs through a variety of ways. To start with, the government structure enhances accountability by making sure that there is always an individual or a group of individuals who overlook the way and manner in which different activities are carried out. Different individuals have been allocated different sectors to ensure that there is accountability and transparency in all events. The customs as a source of income for the government play an important role in establishing a developed economy. Therefore, customs should be safeguarded (Karim &Taqi, 2013). The government has also set rules and regulations to be observed. The rules ensure that there is efficiency in whichever activity is carried out by different individuals employed and also set a guideline of the objectives to be achieved. In such cases, there are penalties that are subjected to those who go against the set rules by engaging in corruption or embezzlement of funds.
The government structure is also organized to cater for any issues that may arise in its operations. There is a need for transparency since publication needs to be done and it should not deviate from the normal; otherwise an accountability statement will be required. That is, the accountability of resources usage and how they have been utilized in different sectors of the economy. Therefore, the government ensures that better preventive measures are considered to avoid issues that may arise at a future date (Seemela&Mkhonto, 2007). The customs contribute significantly to the rate of development in a country. Good utilization of the available resources ensures that equal measures are undertaken. Since the government depends on customs, it ensures better measures are maintained, and there is accountability by each member involved. The set rules clearly define the level of government support in the organization of its structure.
#Question 4
Accountability is a significant principle in the public sector. It is concerned with a positive relationship between the agents of government and the general citizens. The principle dictates that the government and government representatives in the public sector should be answerable for their actions and decisions (Karim &Taqi, 2013). Accountability in the public sector is overlooked by a variety of entities, institutions,and agencies. For instance, members of the parliament oversee the usage of public resources.
Transparency in customs administration strengthens the accountability sector and promotes fair and effective governance. Transparency refers to openness whereby an entity notifies the public about its activities and decisions. In customs administration, transparency ensures that leaders remain fair in their activities and that they carry out the various duties and responsibilities that they are expected to do (Johnston, 2006).
A customs administration that fails to be transparent is likely to suffer from many implications. To start with, such administrators are likely to be corrupt, and they may have high chances of looting and exploiting public resources since no one oversees their activities and decisions. Additionally, such leaders are likely to be biased when making recruitment in their departments. Transparency further serves to hinder distractions and keep leaders focused since they are aware that they will be accountable for all their actions. However, when the customs administration lacks transparency, leaders may lose focus and start engaging in less productive activities since they are aware that no one monitors their moves (Seemela&Mkhonto, 2007). Moreover, when there is no transparency, the trust between officials and stakeholders gets lost and the final result is that losses start to occur since there is no effective coordination and the customs administration cannot work independently without involving other stakeholders.
References
Dose, J. J., &Klimoski, R. J. (2015).Doing the right thing in the workplace: Responsibility in the face of accountability. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 8(1), 35-56.
Downe, J., Cowell, R., & Morgan, K. (2016). What determines ethical behavior in public organizations: Is it rules or leadership?. Public Administration Review, 76(6), 898-909.
Johnston, M. (2006). Good governance: the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. New York: United Nations Public Administration Network.
Karim, N., &Taqi, S. M. (2013).The Importance of Corporate Management Accountability.Journal of Managerial Sciences, 7(1).
Lindgreen, A. (2004). Corruption and unethical behavior: Report on a set of Danish guidelines. Journal of Business Ethics, 51(1), 31-39.
Pratiwi, D. A., & Sari, M. E. P. (2017). An analysis of good governance in the public service sector of Batam.Journal of Techno-Social, 9(1).
Seemela, P., &Mkhonto, X. (2007).Fundamentals for good governance in the public sector. Journal of Public Administration, 42(5), 200-211.
Sims, R. R. (1992). The challenge of ethical behavior in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(7), 505-513.
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