ABSTRACT
These unethical behaviours threaten the reputation (Van Riel and Fombrun, 2007), financial performance (Orlitzky et al., 2003), continuity of organizations (Grant and Visconti, 2006) and the eventual development of developing countries (United Nations, 2001). Clearly, the wanton relegation and exposure of the ‘protective layer of public morality’ to the ‘onslaught of dishonesty, sleaziness, deception, and possessive individualism’ as well as mis-performance, ineptitude and unpredictability are a disincentive to development efforts in third-world countries. A re-awakening of the ethical consciousness of developing countries is therefore not only promising but also a sine qua non for ensuring development effectiveness. This realization has resulted in the resurgence of interest in ethics and values in many countries around the world (Childs, 2012; Williams, 2011), a phenomenon which Kernaghan (2003: 712) describes succinctly as the
‘ethics era’, i.e. a period within which there has been increased focus on public service ethics and values.
