Ethical behaviour and values-based approach in Uganda’s healthcare facility: a framework towards enhancing healthcare performance

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a cohesive framework, exploring the intricate relationship between ethical behaviour, values-based approaches and organisational performance. The study seeks to investigate, analyse and furnish strategic guidance on the fundamental role of ethical behaviour within organisational contexts, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of overall organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach Employing a case study methodology based on storytelling rooted in narrative inquiry, the study extracts best practices and valuable lessons from an exemplary organisation, capturing nuanced perspectives through participant interaction and storytelling. In-depth interviews with healthcare professionals were conducted, focusing on the context, actions, results and lessons learned to construct a coherent and insightful narrative. Findings The study through its real-world case study reveals that the implementation of ethical behaviour and a values-based approach significantly enhances healthcare performance in Uganda. The narrative inquiry method effectively captures the genuine experiences of healthcare workers, highlighting how ethical practices lead to improved patient care and organisational outcomes. The findings suggest that other healthcare facilities can adopt these ethical practices to boost their performance. Originality/value The study’s novelty lies in its use of an optimistic, practical storytelling narrative based on a single case study that offers greater understanding of the way people behave. This serves as an example of how ethical values can be practically incorporated into healthcare administration to improve organisational performance, and it also provides a structure that can be replicated by other organisations in similar settings.