ABSTRACT
Inspired by both research and practice, the aim of this chapter is to take a step forward in thinking about integrity management. Instead of studying all separate integrity initiatives, this chapter concentrates on integrity management, here defined as the sum of systematic and integrated efforts to promote integrity within public-sector organizations. The importance of integrity is usually formulated in terms of the enhancement of public trust, the reinforcement of the constitutional state, the improvement of economic growth, social stability and service delivery, and as a crucial aspect of good governance. Institutionalization is an important aspect of integrity management and relates to its sustainability. The most recent of challenges are the austerity measures that lead to both higher integrity risks and fewer resources spent on integrity management. Recent large-scale research confirms that unethical behaviour such as bullying, intimidation; harassment and discrimination are nowadays indeed the most serious problems in Dutch public organizations, presumably instigated by the crisis.
