The formation of an integral system of ethics management in local self-government: the approach of political and administrative levels

Local self-government is the level of governance which is closest to citizens; therefore, it must formulate and use instruments for trust building and maintenance, such as an integral system of ethics management. The aim of the article is to reveal political and administrative peculiarities of the formation of the integral system of ethics management in local self-government (municipalities), presenting evidence from Lithuania. This article presents the results of the empirical research which was undertaken in seven Lithuanian municipalities in 2014-2018, by using scientific methods such as document analysis and expert interviews. Empirical research has revealed that the integral system of ethics management in the municipalities includes both political and administrative levels, so the consistent integration of measures, processes and structures as well as the integral support of representatives of both levels is one of the important conditions for the efficiency of ethics management.