scholarly journals A student perspective of ethics in the Zambian construction industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sambo Zulu ◽  
Franco Muleya
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Unethical Practices

Purpose The importance of ethical considerations in the construction industry is acknowledged. This is particularly the case that the industry plays a significant part in a nation’s development. The Zambian construction industry has seen an increase in activity due, in part, to massive infrastructure development programmes adopted by successive governments, increase in foreign direct investment and housing development. The Zambian construction industry, like any other, is not immune to unethical behaviour. This study aims to investigate students’ perception of the prevalence of unethical practices in the Zambian construction industry. A review of literature demonstrated that a number of contextual factors including location can influence the perception of unethical practices. A focus on Zambia was therefore considered necessary. Design/methodology/approach In total, 121 students took part in a questionnaire survey to examine their perception of the extent to which unethical practices were prevalent in the Zambian construction industry. Findings The findings suggest that students perceived bribery/corruption and political/societal influences as the two most common unethical practices, while the least prevalent unethical practices were perceived to be alcohol/drug abuse and workplace violence. The findings are largely consistent with previous studies investigating the ethical perception of professionals in the Zambian construction industry. In addition, the findings suggests that when the year and programme of study are taken into consideration, the differences in perception of unethical practices are evident for these demographic groups. Originality/value This study provided an added dimension to the understanding of ethical issues in the Zambian construction industry as it was the first of its kind involving students’ perceptions. This paper therefore contributes to the list of countries where similar studies have been undertaken.

scholarly journals Contextual determinants of HR professionals’ self-perceptions of unethical HRM practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-108
Author(s):  
Eduardo Simões ◽  
Ana Patricia Duarte ◽  
José Neves ◽  
Vítor Hugo Silva
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Contextual Determinants ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine human resources (HR) professionals’ self-perceptions of ethically questionable human resource management (HRM) practices (i.e. disregard for the individual, favoring those in power and discrimination). The research sought specifically to determine how these perceptions are influenced by their organizations’ ethical infrastructure and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 134 HR professionals using an anonymous structured questionnaire. Findings The scope of organizations’ ethics programs and the degree of importance given to developing an ethical infrastructure were found to predict the level of acceptance of unethical HRM practices related to discrimination. These practices are also less acceptable to professionals from organizations that are perceived as more socially responsible regarding their employees. Research limitations/implications Additional studies with larger samples are needed to determine more clearly not only the influence of contextual determinants, but also the practical consequences of high levels of acceptance of unethical practices in HRM. Practical implications Organizations can decrease their HR professionals’ acceptance of ethically questionable HRM practices by developing and emphasizing a strong ethical infrastructure and CSR practices, especially those affecting employees. Originality/value HR professionals’ perceptions of ethical issues have rarely been analyzed using empirically tested methods. By surveying HR professionals, this study contributes to a fuller understanding of their perceptions regarding the ethics of their own practices. The results show that contextual determinants play an important role in predicting the level of acceptance of unethical HRM practices, especially those leading to discrimination.

Analysing BIM implementation in the Egyptian construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Marzouk ◽  
Heba Elsaay ◽  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Strategy ◽  
Building Information ◽  
International Strategies

PurposeThis research is built up upon exploring the concepts of building information modeling (BIM) adoption and strategy formulation with the aim to develop a strategy for implementing BIM in the Egyptian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe development of the BIM implementation strategy was based on two pillars, namely the literature review and results of the survey questionnaire and interviews. First, the review of literature helped investigating the BIM challenges and international strategies developed to implement BIM worldwide.FindingsThe research presented recommendations to assist policymakers in Egypt to facilitate BIM implementation.Originality/valueAlthough multiple frameworks have been proposed to aid in BIM implementation, a practical strategy to implement BIM in Egypt is still lacking. Moreover, current market scale studies neglect nonsoftware aspects of BIM adoption, do not identify market gaps or reflect market-specific criteria. As such, it cannot be used by policymakers to facilitate BIM diffusion.

Internal auditor’s compliance to code of ethics

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Furzanne Alias ◽  
Anuar Nawawi ◽  
Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Practice Guide ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the professional competency levels acquired by internal auditors in detecting unethical behaviour, to evaluate the position of internal auditors on objectivity and integrity in dealing with unethical behaviour and to examine the extent of their awareness on ethical issues in government-linked companies (GLCs). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via questionnaires that were randomly distributed to the internal auditors of the selected GLS in Malaysia. These questionnaires were constructed from the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Examination Paper and The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Competency Framework. Findings This study found that internal auditors of the GLCs had a high level of competency in performing audit engagements and were able to detect unethical practices in the companies. The majority of the internal auditors also had a high level of objectivity and integrity when faced with unethical behaviour during audit engagements. Research limitations/implications This study provided strong evidence that the internal auditors of Malaysian GLCs strongly complied with IIA Code of Ethics. Besides, they were also aware of the unethical behaviour which occurred within their organizations. However, this study is limited to the internal auditors in GLCs, while the questions of the survey instrument are restricted to the elements of integrity, objectivity and professional competencies of internal auditors. Practical implications This study highlights the level of internal-auditor competency and adherence to the IIA’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (ISPPIA) and IIA’s Practice Guide to identify unethical behaviour within the Malaysian GLCs. Originality/value This study is original as it focusses on GLCs which did not get much attention from previous researchers, particularly the GLCs that operate in a developing country such as Malaysia.

scholarly journals Administration of pro re nata medications by the nurse to incapacitated patients: An ethical perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 147775092110341
Author(s):  
Mojtaba Vaismoradi ◽  
Cathrine Fredriksen Moe ◽  
M Flores Vizcaya-Moreno ◽  
Piret Paal
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Medicines Management ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Incapacitated Patients ◽  
Pro Re Nata ◽  
And Training ◽  
Legal And Ethical Issues

The administration of pro re nata medications is the responsibility of the nurse. However, ethical uncertainties often happen due to the inability of incapacitated patients to collaborate with the nurse in the process of decision making for pro re nata medication administration. There is a lack of integrative knowledge and insufficient understanding regarding ethical considerations surrounding the administration of pro re nata medications to incapacitated patients. Therefore, they have been discussed in this paper and practical strategies to avoid unethical practices have been suggested. The complicated caring situation surrounding the administration of pro re nata medications is intertwined with ethical issues affecting the consideration of the patient's wishes and interventions that override them. The patient's right of autonomy and treatment refusal, surrogacy role, paternalism, and coercion are the main ethos of ethical pro re nata medication administration. Education and training can help nurses avoid legal and ethical issues in pro re nata medicines management and improve the quality and safety of healthcare. Empirical research is needed to improve our understanding of this phenomenon in the multidisciplinary environment of medicines management.

Empowerment or exposure? Ethical dilemmas of visual methods with vulnerable migrants

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-340
Author(s):  
Melissa Hauber-Özer ◽  
Meagan Call-Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Participatory Methods ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Participatory Inquiry

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a typology of the treatment of ethical issues in recent studies using visual participatory methods with immigrants and refugees and provide insights for researchers into how these issues can be more adequately addressed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the results of a scoping study as a typology of ethical considerations, from standard IRB approval to complete ethical guidelines/frameworks for research with refugee/migrant populations.FindingsThe review reveals that there is a broad spectrum of ethical considerations in the use of visual participatory methods with migrants, with the majority only giving cursory or minimal attention to the particular vulnerabilities of these populations.Originality/valueThis paper encourages university-based researchers conducting participatory inquiry with migrant populations to engage in deeper critical reflection on the ethical implications of these methods in keeping with PAR's ethico-onto-epistemological roots, to make intentional methodological choices that are congruent with those roots and to be explicit in their description of how they did this as they disseminate their work.

Production pressures in the building sector of the construction industry: a systematic review of literature

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Neale ◽  
Argaw Gurmu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The building sector of the construction industry incorporates a precipitous and volatile nature with poor safety conditions being prevalent, owing to its inability to determine an appropriate trade-off between productivity and safety. This disproportionate trade-off produces production pressures, which contribute poorly to construction performance, by encouraging workers to prioritise their working productivity ahead of safety. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of production pressures in the building sector and propose mitigation strategies accordingly. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of literature was conducted, and secondary data were extracted from peer-reviewed journal papers. The data was then analysed to achieve the objectives of this study. Findings The main causes of production pressures are tight construction schedules, ineffective management and construction rework. Furthermore, the negative effects of production pressures are increased levels of stress in employees, reduced craftsmanship, encouraging accident-prone environments and decreasing employee’s safety behaviour. Effective mitigation strategies in relation to scheduling, leadership, communication and motivation were proposed. Finally, a causal loop diagram of production pressures in the building sector was developed. Originality/value This research will assist in creating a safer working environment within the building sector, by providing useful information regarding the severity of production pressures and suggesting mitigation strategies that can be implemented in the construction projects.

scholarly journals Exploring the Factors Triggering Occupational Ethics Risk of Technology Transaction in Chinese Construction Industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1175
Author(s):  
Xun Liu ◽  
Sen Lin ◽  
Lixing Liu ◽  
Fei Qian ◽  
Kun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Asymmetry Of Information ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Industry Environment ◽  
Occupational Ethics ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
Two Sides ◽  
Significant Factors

The importance of occupational ethics risk considerations during technology transaction in the construction industry is acknowledged. This is particularly in that the industry plays a significant part in a nation’s development. The technology transaction has seen an increase in activity due to massive infrastructure development programmers adopted by governments and increase in external investment. The technology transaction, like any other, is not immune to unethical occupational behavior. This study aims to investigate the source of occupational ethics risk during technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. A review of literature demonstrated that a number of contextual factors can influence unethical occupational risk practices. In total, 130 engineering practitioners took part in a questionnaire survey to explore the source of occupational ethics risk during the technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. Firstly, there were 25 factors identified through literature review overall, which were sorted and analyzed. Among the twenty-five factors, three were identified as the most significant factors: Unreasonable incentives for technology trading; poor regulation; and asymmetry of information. Then, through exploratory factor analysis (EPA) method, the twenty-five factors were divided into seven groups: legal environment, industry environment, incompleteness of information, asymmetry of information, difficulty of observation of information, differences between the two sides of cooperation, and incorrect conceptual awareness. This study provided an added dimension to the understanding of occupational ethics risk issues during the technology transaction in the Chinese construction industry. This paper therefore contributes to the list of countries where similar studies have been undertaken.

Reporting misdemeanors in the workplace: analysing enablers using modified TISM approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Gupta ◽  
Kanika T. Bhal
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Moral Identity ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Cost ◽  
Unethical Practices

PurposeIn the scope of the immense growth of corporate frauds and scandals, reporting unethical practices could be considered as an important mechanism to control them and ultimately improve organizational quality. To this end, this study proposes the conceptual framework comprising the enablers impacting employees' tendencies and behaviors to reporting misdemeanor in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachSystematic review of literature has been carried out. To understand the complexities among various enablers and to analyze their driving power and contingencies, a modified total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach has been adopted.FindingsThe findings indicate that enablers such as moral identity (MI) and job satisfaction (JS) having higher driving power (come at the bottom of the hierarchy) are relatively more important. Furthermore, perceived personal cost (PC), moral courage (MC), self-efficacy (SE) and anger have high dependent power of factors. Finally, the paper provides two paths that can lead to whistleblower's ethical decision.Research limitations/implicationsA conceptual framework delivered in this paper requires to test against the field data. However, the conceptual understanding of driving enablers paves the way to top management in recruiting and hiring people in the workplace.Originality/valueThis study represents the first attempt to apply TISM for whistleblowing phenomenon. It provides a comprehensive conceptual framework in order to address the relative importance of various individual enablers in developing reporting tendencies against misdemeanors.

Ethical considerations in doing and disseminating project management research

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf A. Lundin
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Journal Editor ◽  
Academic Publishing ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Publish Or Perish ◽  
Good Research ◽  
Rules Of The Game

PurposeThe purpose of this research note is to provide some guidance on the ethical issues surrounding submitting academic papers for publication.Design/methodology/approachThis is a reflective paper based upon the author's experience as an author, reviewer, journal editor and chair of research tracks in conference proceedings.FindingsThe contention is that there are many temptations and potential pitfalls for researchers in action as well as in publishing. At the same time there are many written and unwritten rules for such instances and the boundaries of the acceptable are not always clear.Research limitations/implicationsThe publish or perish ideology is at the root of many temptations. Without good research results and without publishing there is no way for a researcher to survive in academia and as a researcher. The concerns in project research do not appear too different from any kind of management research, however. Hence, the attempt here is to cover management research in general and to outline what might be specific for project management.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is that it clarifies the “rules of the game” in academic publishing, especially where authors are concerned about the acceptable degree of content overlap and specialization to meet specific themes between similar papers they submit for publication.

scholarly journals Bringing ethics into governance: the case of the UK COVID-19 contact tracing app

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Samuel ◽  
Federica Lucivero
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
App Development ◽  
Uk National Health Service ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Governance Processes

PurposeIn April 2020, it was announced that NHSX, a unit of the UK National Health Service (NHS) responsible for digital innovation, was developing a contact tracing app that would offer a digital solution to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the urgency with which the app was developed, a clear commitment was made to designing the technology in a way that enshrined key ethical principles, and an ethics advisory board (EAB) was established to provide timely advice, guidance and recommendations on associated ethical issues. Alongside this, there were extensive criticisms of how NHSX adhered to ethical principles in the handling of the app development-criticisms that require empirical exploration. This paper explores how ethics was incorporated into decision-making during governance processes associated with the development of app.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with those involved in the app's development/governance, those with a consulting role associated with the app, or those who sat on the EAB.FindingsThe EAB fulfilled an important role by introducing ethical considerations to app developers. Though at times, it was difficult to accommodate key ethics principles into governance processes, which sometimes suffered from little accountability.Originality/valueWhile several articles have provided overviews of ethical issues, or explored public perceptions towards contact tracing apps, to the best the authors, knowledge this is the first empirical piece analysing ethics governance issues via stakeholder interviews.

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