K etické politice vysokých škol v České republice

Abstract

The article presents principal features and three main pillars of an effective ethical policy, i.e. instruments, processes and structures. Under instruments, mainly ethical codes, risk management and whistleblowing are introduced. The part dealing with processes focuses on four areas: conceptualisation and design, communication and implementation, monitoring and assessment, and revision. Ethical commissions, ethics officers and ethics and compliance departments, as well as communication channels serve as examples of supporting structures. Through the experience of enlightened private and public organisations, some leading universities world-wide, as well as their own experience from the public administration, the authors provide recommendations how to develop a systemic approach to ethics management of universities in the Czech Republic. Some first elementary empirical findings on ethical codes and ethical commissions existing in the Czech Republic are also presented.