Ethical Work Climate in Ugandan Procuring and Disposing Entities: Implications for Leadership

International Journal of Business and Social Science

Vol. 3 No. 18 [Special Issue – September 2012]

Ethical Work Climate in Ugandan Procuring and Disposing Entities: Implications for Leadership

Henry MUTEBI Department of Procurement and Logistics Management Makerere University Business School P.O. Box 1337, Kampala, Uganda. Patrick KAKWEZI Department of Procurement and Logistics Management Makerere University Business School P.O. Box 1337, Kampala, Uganda. Dr. Joseph M. NTAYI, PhD Department of Management science Makerere University Business School P.O. Box 1337, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethical work climate of Ugandan Procuring and Disposing Entities (PDEs). Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive research design was employed and data were collected from 89 PDEs out of 174 PDEs. Findings: Findings reveal that Uganda’s PDE’s ethical work climate is multidimensional, composed of caring, rules, efficiency, service and independence climate. These have both policy and managerial implications which we discuss. Research limitations: The study is limited by factors like the study being cross – sectional in nature and considered Central Government Entities and left out the Local Government Entities, which are also public. Future studies should consider being longitudinal in nature as well as extending to the Local Government Entities. Practical implications: Practical implication is that leadership in PDEs is the need to take a leading role in providing work climate that promote independence of procurement officers so as to improve on their ethical attitude. Originality: The paper contributes to literature on ethical work climate in public procurement.

Key wards: Ethical work climate, caring, rules, efficiency, service, independence climate Uganda, Procuring and Disposing Entities.

1.0 Background
Ethical work climate has been conceptualized by victor and Cullen (1988; Schneider, White, & Paul, 1998, p. 151) as

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