Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

Gender, Race, and (Un)Ethical Behavior: Perceptions from Within the Federal Bureaucracy

Francesca M. Bove

Binghamton University, SUNY

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2872-5946

Matthew J. Uttermark

University of Florida

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0378-8986

Lauren A. Dula

Binghamton University, SUNY

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2615-4350

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v3i1.5639

Keywords: Intersectionality Framework, Ethics, Federal Merit Principals Survey, Gender, Race/Ethnicity

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Abstract

How do bureaucrats with doubly underrepresented identities—specifically, women of color—navigate ethics within their workplace? Leveraging an intersectionality framework, we expect that women of color bureaucrats will have lower perceptions of their ethical environment and be more likely to witness unethical behavior versus men of color, white men, and white women employees. Using the Merit Principles Survey, we model gender and race as an interaction finding women of color report higher rates of observing unethical behavior and are more personally affected by the unethical behaviors of their superiors and colleagues. Our findings indicate that recent methodological recommendations to advance our understanding of doubly underrepresented identities provide a more detailed understanding of the barriers women of color face. For practitioners, our findings suggest reevaluating best practices to cultivate an ethical workplace.

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Author Biographies

Francesca M. Bove, Binghamton University, SUNY

Francesca M. Bové (she, her, hers) (fbove1@binghamton.edu) is a PhD candidate in Binghamton University’s Community Research and Action doctoral program. She also serves as a research assistant in the Department of Public Administration at Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs.

Matthew J. Uttermark, University of Florida

Matthew J. Uttermark (he, him, his) (matthewuttermark@ufl.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Florida. He studies federalism, public policy, and racial inequities. He holds a PhD in political science from Florida State University.

Lauren A. Dula, Binghamton University, SUNY

Lauren A. Dula (she, her, hers) (ldula@binghamton.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of  Public Administration and Policy at Binghamton University, SUNY. Her research focuses on nonprofit and public institutions, studying gender within governance, fundraising, and bureaucracy. She holds a PhD in Public Affairs from Indiana University, Bloomington.

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