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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Public sector governance

The Ministry of Transport in a country has awarded a large road-building contract. A senior official later accepts a paid directorship at the winning contractor shortly after leaving office. Which public sector ethical principle is most directly compromised by this arrangement?

Objectivity is compromised because the official may have made the award with an eye to a future private benefit. Public decisions should be made on merit, free from personal interest, and a later directorship at the winning bidder creates a clear conflict of interest.

  1. AObjectivity, because the award decision may have been influenced by the prospect of future personal benefitCorrect
  2. BAccountability, because the official did not publish an annual report
  3. CLeadership, because the official failed to set a strategic vision
  4. DOpenness, because the contractor was not listed on a stock exchange

Explanation

The Nolan principles of public life include objectivity and integrity: decisions should be made on merit, free of personal benefit. A job offer from the winning bidder creates a conflict of interest that undermines impartiality. The other options describe issues unrelated to the conflict.

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