The Role of Ethical Guidance in Achieving Excellence in Government Institutions: An Applied Study on the Government of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the role exercised by ethical guidance in enhancing institutional excellence within the Government of Fujairah by exploring leaders’ perceptions of ethical leadership practices and their mechanisms of implementation, and by interpreting how these practices are reflected in excellence outcomes. The study adopted a qualitative approach through interviews conducted with (15) directors and officials occupying leadership positions across various departments affiliated with the Government of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. The findings indicated that (48%) of leaders considered ethical guidance to be associated with the leader serving as a role model in adhering to laws and organizational codes of conduct. Moreover, (35%) of leaders emphasized that ethical guidance is not sufficiently expressed in an institutionalized manner, but is often understood through personal experience. Additionally, (68%) confirmed that leaders exercise a role-model function through compliance with rules, job discipline, and respectful interaction. The study recommended developing the performance evaluation system to include both quantitative and qualitative indicators of leaders’ ethical behavior—such as fairness in task distribution, transparency in decision-making, and respect for employees and clients—thereby transforming ethics from a moral value into a professional requirement.