Amoah, C and Steyn, D (2022) Barriers to unethical and corrupt practices avoidance in the construction industry. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 41(6), pp. 85-101. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: Complying with the code of conduct by professionals in the construction industry worldwide has become a significant issue over the years. This has led to projects' failure, leading to losses to both the client and contractors. The study's objective is to identify the challenges of construction professionals in complying with their code of conduct and preventing corrupt practices. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative approach was used to collect empirical data by sending questionnaires to 56 construction professionals in South Africa. Data gathered were analysed through Excel statistical tool. Mean values were calculated for the quantitative data, whilst thematic content analyses were used to generate frequencies and percentages for qualitative data. Findings: The findings indicate that construction professionals experience many unethical issues in their work duties such as inflated tender prices, overpricing the rates, tender-based kickbacks, bribes for projects, unethical methods of project execution, use of lower grade materials than specified, discrimination, among others. However, issues such as greediness, acceptance of corruption as usual practice, lack of knowledge about the code of conduct, the only way to get contracts, part of the process, and peer pressure create a challenge in complying with the code of conduct and preventing corrupt practices among construction professionals. Practical implications: Construction professionals face many unethical and corrupt practices in their project management and execution, which they cannot overcome due to many factors. Therefore, there is the need to sensitise the professionals in the construction industry regarding their code of conduct as well as the danger associated with engaging in corrupt practices in their work and their implication on project performance. Originality/value: The findings give an insight into the critical factors curtailing the construction professional's ability to comply with their code of conduct and be corrupt-free in their line of duty. Thus, professional associations can use the findings in guiding their members.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; behaviour; code of conduct; construction industry; corruption; ethics |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, corruption, methodology, duty, South Africa, discrimination, tender price, content analysis, face, project performance, construction professional, project management, construction industry, critical factor, ethics |
| Subjects: | ethical practice, data analysis and analytics, psychology, data collection methods, risk assessment, contractual role, professional ethics, industry analysis, Geography, professional development, project management theory and practice, research methods, tendering |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Information Management, Risk Management, Procurement, Legal Issues, Contract Administration, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here