The work of two Singapore-based researchers on the effects of ethical culture and ethical leadership on innovation as reported in the public sector has been published in the September 2020 Issue of the Australian Journal of Public Administration.

Examining the relationship between public sector ethics and public sector innovation is important because society has long expected employees and managers in public organisations to behave ethically, but increasingly also expects innovative and entrepreneurial behaviour. However, researchers have previously commented that these two behavioural expectations and the values they require may not necessarily align, and even compete in many cases.

Given that much of the evidence is rather anecdotal, and arguably outdated, Associate Professors Dr Zeger Van der Wal and Dr Mehmet Akif Demircioglu from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at The National University of Singapore, have empirically examined how ethical culture and ethical leadership are associated with realised innovation using 84,222 responses from the Australian Public Service Commission’s 2017 APS agency survey. This research has produced robust findings across agency, work location, job level, tenure, education, and gender and across different samples.

SO WHAT IS ETHICAL LEADERSHIP? AND WHY CHOOSE THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AS THE FOCUS FOR THIS RESEARCH?

The researchers used a definition of ethical leadership described in 2005 by Brown, Treviño and Harrison as:

‘The demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through the personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and promotion of such conduct among followers through two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision-making processes’.

The researchers believed that the Australian public sector would provide a suitable environment for studying the effects of leadership and culture on public sector innovation for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the Australian government has been among the most highly ranked globally in terms of innovation and effectiveness for years (see the 2017 work of the OECD and Pollitt & Bouckaert). Secondly, it was also an early adaptor of New Public Management, implementing private sector practices and ideas from the 1980s onwards. And thirdly, the country’s public sector has consistently ranked highly in the Corruption Perception Index run by Transparency International.

Continue reading the full article and access the research paper via the IPAA National website.

Erma Ranieri FIPAA, South Australia’s Commissioner for Public Sector Employment and IPAA SA President, joined IPAA ACT in the latest episode of their ‘Work with Purpose: A National Perspective’ podcast. In this interview Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA, IPAA National President, discussed the COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia.

“The clear message at the end of the day was that you keep talking to people”.

As highlighted by Commissioner Ranieri, while the pandemic presented a series of challenges it also showcased the real capability of the South Australian public sector.

“The innovation and resilience of the public sector were on display during this time, as they worked to support and collaborate with SA Health, SAPOL and other agencies to mobilise the sector to meet the unique needs of the pandemic. As the Mobilisation Coordinator, Commissioner Ranieri noted that this played a key role in the agile response to the pandemic.

“We have connected more than we have ever connected before”.

“COVID has shown what is possible within the public service”.

COVID-19 has also brought about a change to the existing paradigm for leadership and performance management in the workforce.  The Commissioner is encouraged to see great outcomes in flexible work arrangements which are “reshaping the workforce to be more adaptable and diverse”. Commissioner Ranieri’s office and IPAA SA will continue to focus on fostering the skills and capabilities leaders need to adapt to this rapid shift in the workplace.

The Commissioner also highlighted the importance of awareness of mental health and wellbeing and the materials available to help leaders and employees to manage the COVID-19 pandemic:

• a Manager Toolkit  has been released to assist leaders navigate the challenges of COVID-19
• a Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework and Toolkit has been released to provide practical information and resources to support wellbeing strategies, and additional supporting guidance for the COVID-19 context.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment continues to work with agencies to implement a peer support program and develop an online training program for new peer support officers to build on the existing skills of employees trained in mental health first aid.

The COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Interview Series, also offers valuable new resources for those working in the public service, with advice and tips from experts in the field

LISTEN HERE

RESOURCES

Open Your World.sa.gov.au

VIDEOS

– COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Interview Series with Forensic Psychologist, Luke Broomhall

– COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Interview Series with Chief Psychiatrist, SA Health, Dr John Brayley

– Virtual on the Couch with Commissioner Erma Ranieri

– All Virtual on the Couch interviews

Danielle Elston is the Managing Director of Good Government Advisory (GGA), a national consulting firm based in South Australia, dedicated to helping governments do good things—and do them well. A former senior executive in the South Australian Government, she has led major reforms in justice, education, and environment, driving policy innovation and organisational change at the highest levels.

Passionate about the craft of government and the people who make it work, Danielle believes that public servants—at every level—are the backbone of a well-run democracy. Through her work with agencies across Australia, she has supported leadership development, strategic alignment, and whole-of-government initiatives that empower frontline and executive teams alike.

A recognised thought leader in public administration, Danielle co-hosts Australia’s #1 government podcast, The Westminster Tradition, where she explores integrity, leadership, and what makes public service work. She speaks regularly on public sector leadership, governance, and trust for ANZSOG, IPAA, universities, and national conferences.

Danielle is committed to strengthening public institutions, supporting the everyday leaders of government, and ensuring that public servants at all levels are set up for success.

Renae leads a skilled and enthusiastic team to deliver on the association‘s mission of supporting the public sector. She drives the Divisional Council’s strategic vision for IPAA SA. She is determined to continue to grow and modernise the 95-year-old organisation to ensure every one of its members is supported throughout their careers. Renae holds a Bachelor of Science (Evolutionary Biology) and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), and qualifications through the AICD Company Directors Course. She is passionate about championing the work of public servants, as well as supporting animal welfare. 

Gemma is the Executive Director, Land Administration and Registrar General of South Australia, responsible for statutory land title functions, regulatory oversight of the electronic property exchange, and management of the State’s contract with the private Land Titles Operator.

She has held senior roles across planning, housing and policy, contributing to major reforms, governance improvements and cross government coordination.

She represents South Australia nationally through ARNECC and other interjurisdictional forums, and has a background in property law, conveyancing and regulatory delivery. Gemma has also written and delivered course content for the College of Law and TAFE SA, supporting capability development across the profession.

A committed advocate for a high performing, trusted and collaborative public sector, Gemma is motivated by strengthening capability, improving outcomes, and enabling public servants to deliver their best work for South Australians.