BUSINESS ETHICS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the differences in the implementation of business ethics and corporate governance practices between public and private sector organizations in Nigeria. Ethical conduct and effective governance are essential to building stakeholder trust and ensuring organizational sustainability. However, various studies suggest that public and private organizations in developing economies like Nigeria face different challenges and adhere to ethical standards differently. Using a structured questionnaire and secondary data, this research analyzes ethical awareness, transparency, accountability mechanisms, and adherence to governance codes in selected institutions. The findings reveal that private sector organizations generally exhibit higher compliance levels due to competitive pressures and market demands, while public sector institutions are hindered by bureaucratic inefficiencies, weak enforcement, and political interference. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for improving governance and ethics in both sectors.