Ethical Decision Making by Arab Universities' Advisory and Shadow Committees: Forms of Corruption, Implications and Solutions

Abstract

Shadow and advisory committees among colleges play crucial roles in influencing decision-making processes and determining Arab universities’ functions and programs. Both shadow and advisory committees have specific goals and purposes, while shadow committees represent students' scientific, practical, systematic, and noncurricular interests. Advisory committees can improve programs and align them with industry standards. This article examines the potential challenges of corruption in universities' advisory and shadow committees, explores its consequences, and proposes strategies to prevent and address it. The article adopts a descriptive approach and qualitative method through interviews using secondary and primary data to explore corruption and reveal indicators such as bias, nepotism, and personal enrichment. Different forms of corruption within advisory bodies that delve into the underlying causes of such misconduct are investigated, and some strategies are outlined to prevent and address corruption effectively. The paper reveals that corruption within universities' committees significantly threatens the transparency, accountability, and integrity of management decision-making. It concluded that universities could ensure the effectiveness and legitimacy of their committees by promoting a culture of transparency, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and promoting ethical behaviour. Corruption within university committees poses a significant threat to the integrity of decision-making and the public reputation of academic institutions.