Administrative Ethics as the Foundation of Quality Public Services

Abstract

Public services, as a means of fulfilling citizens’ basic needs, continue to face challenges such as bureaucratic pathologies, maladministration, and corruption, resulting in declining service quality and public trust. This study examines the role of administrative ethics as the foundation for improving public service quality toward good governance. The research employs a literature review with a qualitative descriptive approach using the Miles and Huberman data analysis model. The findings show that ethical values, including honesty, integrity, accountability, transparency, and fairness, strengthen professionalism and promote public-oriented services while reducing unethical behavior. The study concludes that high-quality public services depend not only on technical systems and infrastructure but also on officials’ ethical commitment, supported by ethical leadership, code enforcement, and digital governance.