Background Administrative staff, including principal investigators, administrative managers, and elected officials, have a crucial role in ensuring the ethical conduct of the clinical research that occurs in their organisations. However, only few studies have focused on their perspectives. Aim This study describes the ethical aspects of clinical research from the perspectives of the administrative staff at university hospitals in Finland. Methods Qualitative data were collected with semi-structured face-to-face interviews, and subjected to content analysis. Results Four core perspectives emerged: human subject (...) autonomy and its acknowledgement in clinical practice, increased tension between the regulations and practice of clinical research, concerns about a changing research environment, and factors that promote ethical research conduct in hospitals. Conclusion Ethics always extends beyond the law. Therefore it is important to strengthen researchers’ ethical sensitivity through education. Furthermore, we should reinforce elements such as organisational culture, cooperation, and a workable research infrastructure that support good research ethics in hospitals. (shrink)