Improving Corruption Risk Management in the Slovak Republic

Annex A. Online vignette experiment-survey script (in English)

 

Introduction
Welcome and thank you for participating in this survey. This survey is conducted in collaboration between the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Government Office of the Slovak Republic to better understand the contributing factors and improve practices related to public sector integrity. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. First, we will present a hypothetical situation regarding human resources (HR) and recruitment. We will then ask you to answer a few questions about the hypothetical situation. Participation in this survey is voluntary. Responses to the survey are anonymous and confidential, and the information provided cannot be traced back to the respondent. No personally identifiable information is captured unless you voluntarily offer personal or contact information in any of the comment fields. To participate, you must be an employee in the public administration of the Slovak Republic. We would kindly ask you not to share the link to the survey with others. If you have any questions, please contact the Corruption Prevention Department at tel. number xxxxxxxxx.
Control
Please carefully read this short text about a situation in HR and recruitment: Your institution is regularly hiring new public officials. You heard that public officials with a personal relationship with senior managers may have been hired in the past. You suspect that there is a lack of control measures in hiring procedures to mitigate risks of conflict of interest and risks related to a lack of transparency.
Treatment 1
Please carefully read this short text about a situation in HR and recruitment: Your institution is regularly hiring new public officials. You heard that public officials with a personal relationship with senior managers may have been hired in the past. You suspect that there is a lack of control measures in hiring procedures to mitigate risks of conflict of interest and risks related to a lack of transparency. Being honest and speaking with your doctor about risk factors such as smoking can help you diagnose cancer in time. Similarly, every civil servant should be honest and speak about corruption risks such as conflicts of interest in hiring public officials. It is important that you communicate risks in order to minimize corruption risks in your organization.
Treatment 2
Please carefully read this short text about a situation in HR and recruitment: Your institution is regularly hiring new public officials. You heard that public officials with a personal relationship with senior managers may have been hired in the past. You suspect that there is a lack of control measures in hiring procedures to mitigate risks of conflict of interest and risks related to a lack of transparency. Imagine your manager leads by example: you have seen them raise hiring risks with your executives, and they encourage you and your colleagues to do the same. Every civil servant should be honest and speak about corruption risks such as conflicts of interest in hiring public officials. It is important that you communicate risks in order to minimize corruption risks in your organization.
Outcome variables
Q1. Would you communicate this risk? 0 represents “No, I would not communicate this risk” and 100 represents “Yes, I would certainly communicate this risk” Q2. How safe do you feel about raising this risk? 0 represents “extremely unsafe” and 100 represents “extremely safe” Q3. Who would you prefer to raise this risk with? your manager HR the anti-corruption coordinators other (please specify) Q4. How safe do you feel about raising this risk with [Insert response from Q3] 0 represents “extremely unsafe” and 100 represents “extremely safe”
Control variables
Q5. Would you communicate this situation as a (multiple answers allowed) corruption risk corruption incident I would not communicate on this I do not know Q6. In general, do you believe that the hiring process in your institution is fair? 0 represents “extremely unfair” and 100 represents “extremely fair” Q7. In general, how appropriately do you believe your institution manages corruption risks? 0 represents “extremely inappropriate” and 100 represents “extremely appropriate” Q8. Are you responsible for hiring officials? Yes No Prefer not to say Q9. Do you know who and how to report the existence of a conflict of interest? No Not before Rather yes Yes Q10. How many years have you worked in the public administration of the Slovak Republic in total? Q11. In which department do your work in the public administration of the Slovak Republic? (ex. Ministry of Finance) Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic Government Office of the Slovak Republic Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Authority of the Slovak Republic Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic The Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing Public Procurement Office Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic Administration of State Material Reserves of the Slovak Republic National Security Office Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic Supreme Audit Office Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic Association of Towns and Communities of the Slovak Republic other (please specify) Q12. What is your age (in years)? Q13. What is the gender you most identify with? Male Female Non-binary Prefer not to say
End of Survey
We thank you for your time spent taking this survey. Your response has been recorded. If you have any questions, please contact the Department at tel. number xxxxxxxxxx.