Investigation of the importance of merit and ethical principles in public organisations

Merit and ethical principles hold a critical role in public organizations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in public services. These principles aim to prevent favoritism and uphold justice in public administration. Merit-based systems facilitate the appointment of competent individuals, thereby enhancing the quality of public services, while ethical standards encourage professionalism and transparency among public personnel. This study was conducted within the framework of qualitative research methods and includes an analysis of various documents using content analysis techniques. The literature review in the thesis thoroughly examines the definition, scope, fundamental principles, and key determinants of meritocracy. It explores the relationship between merit and justice, as well as different types of favoritism that contradict merit-based principles. Additionally, the thesis delves into the historical evolution of Turkish public personnel management, the significance and role of merit in public service, the consequences of lack of meritocracy in the public sector, and the importance of ensuring merit and justice in recruitment and promotion processes. The study also presents proposals for enhancing the effectiveness of meritocracy in public organizations, examines the European Commission's assessments on merit in Turkey, and compares merit systems in various countries. Furthermore, the concept of ethics is analyzed along with its purpose, related concepts, and its application in public administration through the examination of ethical violation decisions issued by the Public Officials Ethics Board (KGEK). Findings obtained through qualitative data analysis indicate that merit is commonly defined by participants as a fair employment model based on knowledge, experience, and competence. However, in practice, this principle is frequently violated due to political, institutional, and social factors. Similarly, while awareness of ethical principles is high, the institutional application of these principles remains insufficient. The lack of effective ethical commissions, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the tolerance of unethical behavior among senior executives further deepens this issue. The findings highlight an urgent need for a comprehensive transformation in public administration based on justice, accountability, and trust. This study emphasizes the significance of meritocracy and ethical principles in public organizations and presents findings demonstrating that effective implementation of these principles enhances the quality of public services . By applying content analysis methodology, this research aims to fill a crucial gap in public administration studies .