ABSTRACT
Organizational theory literature supports the contention that a sound governance structure is a significant factor influencing behavioral compliance with ethical standards. It is expected that the ethical standards communicated by the organization should be demonstrated and reinforced by administrators in their day-to-day activities, the reputation they strive to uphold, and the policies they support on behalf of the organization. Integration of ethics governance structures with other organizational functions, and externally with professional associations, continues to be an area of great interest both in the United States and globally. An overview of these various initiatives provides insight into the extent to which governance structures are integral to successful management of ethics in the public sector. This entry defines an ethics governance structure, reviews which structures have been shown to be most effective in ensuring compliance behaviors, and discusses how to institute effective oversight procedures.
