Examining challenges in maintaining staff integrity and professionalism at Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone, Kenema City

Abstract

This study examined the challenges faced by Management in maintaining integrity and professionalism among staff at the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone, Kenema City. The study sought to identify the major challenges confronting management in promoting integrity and professionalism, examine the relationship between staff and management in maintaining ethical standards, and propose strategies for strengthening professionalism within the University. A qualitative research design was adopted to obtain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected from 25 purposively selected participants comprising Registry staff, Human Resource Management staff, and Finance Unit staff through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that Management faces several challenges in maintaining integrity and professionalism, including political interference, corruption, favouritism, poor staff welfare, weak institutional controls, inadequate supervision, ineffective communication, interpersonal conflicts, and lack of trust between management and staff. The study further found that positive relationships characterized by transparency, mutual respect, effective communication, and staff participation in decision-making contribute significantly to strengthening ethical conduct and professional behaviour within the University. The study concludes that maintaining integrity and professionalism requires strong ethical leadership, effective institutional policies, transparent governance, improved staff welfare, continuous professional development, and robust accountability mechanisms. The study recommends that University Management strengthen ethical policies and codes of conduct, improve monitoring and evaluation systems, enhance staff welfare, provide regular professional development programmes, promote merit-based administrative practices, and encourage effective communication and collaboration between management and staff to foster a culture of integrity and professionalism.