Lydia Segal

The Institutionalization of Stewardship: Theory, Propositions, and Insights from Change in the Edmonton Public Schools

Prior scholarship on stewardship as a principle of administration largely portrays stewardship as too idealistic and dependent upon situational factors to be institutionalized in large-scale organizations. Through a case study of the Edmonton Public Schools, this study explores the extent to which stewardship can be institutionalized as a central organizing principle, thereby ensuring performance and checking corruption in ways that are consistent with the primacy of intrinsic motivation. The study deepens our understanding of the challenges that managers face in reconciling stewardship with a bureaucratic context, documents practices that have been used to deal with these challenges, and more broadly discusses how it might be possible for islands of stewardship to emerge in a world governed by assumptions of human opportunism. To this end the paper develops a model of the choice that organization members face in deciding to elect a principal-agent or a stewardship posture within large-scale organizations. This model draws on assumptions of human ambivalence in choosing between self-serving and altruistic modes of conduct.

Instilling Stewardship to Address the Integrity/Efficiency Dilemma

One of the most perplexing problems facing modern governments is how to balance the pursuit of integrity with that of efficiency. The pursuit of integrity has resulted in a massive body of rules and oversight structures that can paralyze management and harm efficiency. Most administrative prescriptions do not deal with the root of this problem—the insistence that integrity be assured by managerial strategies rather than administrative moral agencies. This article argues that by instilling a culture of stewardship, so that integrity flows from people, public agencies could ease heavy-handed corruption controls and pursue efficiency relatively unhindered. A case study of the Edmonton Public Schools is offered to illustrate how stewardship could harmonize the pursuit of integrity and efficiency.

The Effects of the Recession on Attitudes Toward Business Ethics: An Inter‐Temporal Study of Business Students in 2001, 2009, and 2010

This inter‐temporal study compares the ethical attitudes of business students at three points: in 2001, when the economy was relatively healthy; in 2009, near the beginning of the current recession; and in 2010, when the economy was worse. Ethical attitudes were measured by replicating a popular survey consisting of 25 ethically charged vignettes. The survey measures willingness to engage in white‐collar crime behaviors, some clearly illegal; others marginally unethical. Findings show an increase in tolerance for clearly illegal behaviors from 2001 to 2009 and an increase in tolerance for an even broader array of unethical acts from 2009 to 2010. As compared with 2001 respondents, 2009 respondents were more tolerant of seriously illegal behaviors but less tolerant of marginally unethical ones. In 2010, respondents were more accepting of both kinds of unethical behaviors. The results also suggest that the change in ethical attitudes from 2009 to 2010 was larger than the average annual change in ethics from 2001 to 2009. These findings are discussed within the framework of classical strain theory, Agnews General Strain Theory, and the legitimacy of social institutions.

Public Integrity Networks

This article demonstrates a positive relationship between the extent and sustainability of public integrity networks and the quality and honesty of governance. It creates a typology of network connections between inspectors general and other law enforcement and civil society organizations, particularly the media. Data are drawn from in-depth interviews and structural examinations of the offices of ten inspectors general in the United States. Network analysis allow an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the inspectional offices included in the study.

Independence from Political Influence—A Shaky Shield: A Study of Ten Inspectors General

Granting structural independence to investigative bodies has historically been designed to shield them from political influence. This analysis of ten offices of inspector general in the United States, however, suggests that while formal independence is important, it alone may not be enough to protect the integrity of inspectors generals corruption-fighting mission. The personal integrity of political officials can be just as important. This study broadens the understanding of investigative independence in the literature and suggests alternative factors that also play a role in protecting the integrity of corruption-control mechanisms.

The Role of the Academe in Sports Integrity: The Objectives and Shape of a Sports Integrity Training Course

Reformers are issuing multiple proposals to boost integrity in sports. So far, the potential contributions of the academe to this effort have been largely glossed over. Yet the academe is a unique source of expertise in teaching ethics and can reach many more stakeholders than athletes, which is all most existing sports integrity training programs do. This chapter outlines the ways in which the academe can enhance sports integrity. It offers ideas on the possible goals and shapes of a sports integrity course and discusses ways in which to increase the ethical awareness of those involved in sports, elevate their level of moral reasoning, and give them the skills to navigate the situational pressures encountered in the world of sports.

Evaluating the Quality and Usefulness of Data Breach Information Systems

As the nation confronts a growing tide of security breaches, the importance of having quality data breach information systems becomes paramount. Yet too little attention is paid to evaluating these systems. This article draws on data quality scholarship to develop a yardstick that assesses the quality of data breach notification systems in the U.S. at both the state and national levels from the perspective of key stakeholders, who include law enforcement agencies, consumers, shareholders, investors, researchers, and businesses that sell security products. Findings reveal major shortcomings that reduce the value of data breach information to these stakeholders. The study concludes with detailed recommendations for reform.