DECISION-MAKING AND INTEGRITY AMONG PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: THE CASE OF ALBANIA

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of emotions, including anxiety and enthusiasm, on the decision-making of Albanian public administration employees in situations involving legal risk. Grounded in the Theory of Affective Intelligence, the research examines (i) how emotions influence the request for additional information before making decisions in risky situations, and (ii) the factors that shape ethical behavior among public administration employees in Albania. Using pre- and post-experiment questionnaires, the study analyzes the associations between variables such as education, professional background, income, integrity knowledge, and political knowledge with decision-making behavior. Results indicate that employees with comprehensive knowledge of integrity rules demonstrate a heightened propensity to seek information when confronted with workplace rule violations. Further analysis identifies integrity, political knowledge, age, gender, international university experience, income, and reading habits as key determinants of employees’ willingness to report ethical violations. The findings underscore the central role of professional integrity in guiding Albanian public employees’ responses to high-risk situations. To enhance ethical behavior in public administration, the study recommends targeted integrity training, promotion of an organizational culture that values ethical conduct, and consideration of demographic and knowledge-related factors when designing interventions to encourage the reporting of procedural violations.