Ho, C M F (2010) A critique of corporate ethics codes in Hong Kong construction. Building Research & Information, 38(4), pp. 411-427. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This critical review examines studies on the use and effectiveness of corporate ethics codes between 1977 and 2008. A corporate code can be an effective instrument for corporate ethics management, but this depends on the right conditions being in place. A substantial number of empirical studies have demonstrated that an appropriate organizational culture and effective communication are the key conditions necessary for the codes to have a positive effect on employees' ethical behaviour and decision-making. The major business ethics campaign in Hong Kong, China, is an example of introducing corporate ethics codes into the construction/property industry to influence the behaviour of construction practitioners. Gaps in the current knowledge and the obstacles limiting employees' understanding of corporate codes are identified.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; corporate ethics codes; corporate policy; employee behaviour; ethical behaviour; ethics management; Hong Kong |
| Index terms: | critique, business ethics, construction practitioner, ethics, Hong Kong, employee behaviour, organizational culture, ethical behaviour, construction industry, China, effectiveness, empirical study, decision-making |
| Subjects: | ethical issues, ethical practice, professional practice, evaluation and assessment methods, decision analysis, sociology, industry analysis, research methods, performance management, management, professional development, Geography |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Information Management, Risk Management, Quality Management, Ethics, Human Resources, 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