scholarly journals Ethics in construction industry : project managers’ case study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thobeka Kahlela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
South African Council ◽  
Unethical Conduct ◽  
Unethical Practices

Business ethics and corporate governance have taken centre stage globally in the last decade due to the increasing unethical practices by private and public institutions. These unethical practices adversely affect the image of professionals and organisations with a resultant negative impact on the competitive advantage of the organisation. This study aims to assess factors contributing to unethical behaviours of project managers. The study was conducted in five provinces of South Africa including KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Cape Town, Limpopo and Gauteng. The sample frame consists of construction project managers registered with South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Random sampling technique was employed in the selection of samples. A total number of thirty six questionnaires were analysed for the study. Descriptive statistics were employed for the analysis of data. Findings include personal value, organisational culture and education are very influential factors on ethical decisions of a project manager. Furthermore, corporate value and individual values are the factors which most influence the ethical judgment of a project manager. Improving ethical practice for the professionals could improve ethical performance in construction projects and production efficiency in the construction industry in SA. Based on the findings of the study, ways to mitigate unethical conduct would be; practicing ethical conduct at all times will improve production, the levels of risk on projects will decrease and also an improvement in communication and transparency will minimize the levels of unethical conduct of the project managers in South Africa.

FACTORS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN MANAGING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN A COUNTRY UNDER MILITARY OCCUPATION: Contractors’ Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 05 (07) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Akram Subhe Suleiman ◽  
Jafar Subhi Hardan Abahre
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Military Occupation ◽  
The Political ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
The Impact

An exhaustive literature search revealed that not much research has been done on factors causing problems in managing a construction project in a country under military occupation like Palestine. So, it is the main goal of this research is to identify these factors which could be used by the decision makers to select the appropriate project manager who bosses the suitable skills and competencies to deal with these problems. The study is a step toward determining means to improve the effectiveness of projects through identifying project manager competencies. It is important for Palestinian construction industry to progress in terms of project success; the problems that face the project managers must be determined and identified, in order to achieve the best results with less risk. A clear understanding of such problems helps the Palestinian construction industry of finding the suitable solutions to overcome these problems. A questionnaire survey was carried out to achieve the main aim of this research. The respondents were engineers have more than 3 years in the position of project manager in the Palestinian construction industry. The survey was based on factors drawn from findings of another researches in different countries, together with special factors identified as potentially affecting Palestine. The results identified many factors created problems; they were clustered in eight groups. These groups were arranged according to respondents in descending order as follows: the political situation of Palestine, lack of consultants` technical competencies, lack of resources, insufficient planning, team members uncommitted, conflicts between departments, breakdowns in communications, and changes in goals. As a result of this study one could conclude that managing a project in Palestine is as difficult as the complication of the political situation of the country. The project manager should have a complicated mixture of skills and competencies from dealing with Israeli occupation to dealing with stakeholders to lack of resources and unclear goals. The study has recommended to the Palestinian government to improve the regulations and laws to meet the impact of closure and segmentation of the Palestine.

Greek Construction Project Managers' Cognitive Abilities, Personality and Knowledge

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios N. Aretoulis ◽  
Christoforos H. Triantafyllidis
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
International Management ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The tasks performed by a project manager are of special importance to the well being and economic prosperity of construction companies. This paper is aiming at defining the Greek project managers' dominant cognitive abilities, personality characteristics, skills and knowledge. An effort is made to identify available attributes associated with successful management performance and career development. The survey was conducted based on a structured questionnaire. The effort led to 102 responses, originating from engineers and construction professionals, throughout the Greek Construction Industry, including Public-Work Authorities. The questionnaire was based on international management literature and interviews. The study discusses the results of the survey and provides a comparison with those attributes identified in the international literature and correlates the participants' profile with their responses.

A Comparison of the Behavioral Competencies of Client-Focused and Production-Focused Project Managers in the Construction Sector

2005 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Dainty ◽  
Mei-I Cheng ◽  
David Moore
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Generic Management ◽  
Job Role ◽  
Management Competency ◽  
Behavioral Event ◽  
Behavioral Competencies

The importance of evaluating behaviors as an underpinning component of the project management body of knowledge is widely recognized. This paper reports on research that evaluated the behaviors of two functionally disparate sets of project managers operating within the construction industry. The first comprised those with overall responsibility for the on-site production function (the management contractor), while the second comprised client project managers overseeing project activities on behalf of the procuring organization (client's project managers). The behavioral competencies of both groups were evaluated using the established McBer methodology (cf. Spencer & Spencer, 1993), in which managerial characteristics are measured using behavioral event interviews. A total of 40 superior performing project managers were behaviorally profiled. The findings reveal 11 behaviors that are generic in nature and underpin effectiveness in the project management role, with one additional competency apparently determined by the particular job role context of the project manager. Comparisons are also drawn with the generic management competency profile, which suggests the existence of a range of behaviors specific to the project management discipline. The identification of both generic and job-specific competencies for the project management role has potentially far-reaching implications for the way in which project managers are developed in the future.

scholarly journals A Study of Unethical Practices in the Construction Industry and Potential Preventive Measures

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
R K Shah ◽  
M Alotaibi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
College Of Engineering ◽  
Project Life

<p>The conflict of interest amongst the professionals like client and contractor project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors and designers/architects play crucial roles for the unethical practices and consequently these practices have adverse impact on the product quality, faith of clients and investors’ confidence in the construction industry. Hence, this research is aimed at examining the common forms of unethical practices among professionals in the construction industry as well as uncovering the factors that have encouraged these practices. This study depends on the questionnaire survey amongst professionals of the construction industry. The survey is conducted to recognise the view of key stakeholders from different perspectives of the affected parties on the concept of business ethics in the building and construction industry, which has key contribution on the national economic growth of the developing countries. The survey concludes that untimely legal action including changing project manager’s responsibility and delays in payment processes are key ethical practices from owner/client aspect, while contractor’s unethical practices are under bidding, bid cutting and shopping, bid rigging and over billing. But from the consultant aspect; lack of supervision, poor monitoring and taking bribes under different pretend are found to be the encouraging factors for unethical conducts in the construction industry. It is also found that accepting the bribes, gifts and conflicts of interest are the most common forms of unethical practices. The findings from the study are expected to help as an important eye opener to policy makers and regulatory agencies in detecting and preventing unethical practices. In conclusion, avoiding the conflict of interest and promoting the ethic codes to professionals will help to restore the investor and people confidence, faith of the clients and improve the quality of buildings and infrastructures. The study recommends that promoting awareness regarding the values of ethical behaviour at different forum and ensuring the effective punishment for unethical activities at different stages of project life cycle might reduce the unethical practices in the construction industry.</p><p><strong>Journal of Advanced College of Engineering and Management</strong>, Vol. 3, 2017,  Page: 55-77</p>

The Improvement Factors of Leadership Skills among Project Managers in Pre-Construction Phase of Sustainable Construction Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (S1) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Aryani Ahmad Latiffi ◽  
Noorul Adharina Zulkiffli
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Normality Test ◽  
Manager Performance

Leadership skills are required in any area, including the construction industry. Compared to conventional construction projects, the obstacles of practising leadership skills are more significant in sustainable construction projects. In the context of managing a project, a project manager is accountable for overseeing the project from the pre-construction phase to the post-construction phase. Nevertheless, project managers often encountered utmost difficulties in sustainable construction projects during the pre-construction phase. Despite that, improving leadership skills would emerge to boost project manager performance in managing sustainable construction projects. Thus, this paper aims to determine the improvement factors of leadership skills among project managers in the pre-construction phase of sustainable construction projects. A questionnaire survey was developed with 44 improvement factors of leadership skills among project managers in the pre-construction phase of sustainable construction projects, in which 153 experienced project managers in sustainable construction projects in Malaysia responded. Data were analysed using normality test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis via IBM SPSS version 24 software. The finding reveals that all improvement factors were significant to improve leadership skills among project managers in the pre-construction phase of sustainable construction projects. Hence, this paper's findings would assist project managers in grasping the improvement factors that can improve their leadership skills, particularly in sustainable construction projects.

scholarly journals Measures for Curbing Unethical Practices among Construction Industry Professionals: Quantity Surveyors’ Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Ada Paul ◽  
Douglas Omoregie Aghimien ◽  
Ahmed Doko Ibrahim ◽  
Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Ethical Awareness ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Industry Professionals

Unethical practices have been a reoccurring menace in the construction industry globally, with its negative impact reported in existing studies. While several studies have explored issues touching on ethics, ethics compliance and unethical practices within the construction industry, the problems persist especially in developing countries. It is based on this notion that this study assessed the possible measures that could help curb unethical practices in the construction industry with specific reference to Quantity Surveyors (QS). The study adopted a quantitative approach with structured questionnaires used to garner information from registered QS in Nigeria. Data analysis was done using relevant descriptive and multivariate analysis. The reliability of the instrument used was also tested using Cronbach alpha test. The findings revealed that while QS are no strangers to unethical practices, most cases are not reported to the appropriate authorities. The most prevalent of these practices are payment-related and contract-related. To curb these practices, random inspections and development of ethical compliance, ensuring a good reporting and punishment system, and increase ethical awareness through QS organised programmes are needed. The findings of this study would assist the professional bodies and organisations within the industry to effectively enforce ethical conduct among their members and staff.

scholarly journals EVALUATING THE LEVEL OF UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR BY QUANTITY SURVEYORS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebunoluwa Bimbola Akinrata
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Item Score ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Unethical Conduct ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Moral Conduct ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Principal Factors

Construction industry is one of the main drivers of financial development in numerous countries not leaving out Nigeria. The industry faces a long rundown of ethics/moral difficulties identified with practices from its professionals. So therefore, the supposition study of this report demonstrated that there are basic conduct of concern with respect to unethical practices among Quantity Surveyors in Nigerian construction industry. The motivation behind this paper is to evaluate the level of unethical conduct among Quantity Surveyors by featuring most normal unethical conduct by Quantity Surveyors in their administrations conveyance in the Nigerian construction industry. Questionnaires enumerating 21 unethical practices by Quantity Surveyors which were sent to professionals in construction firms within the Nigerian construction industry to assess. Altogether, 114 legitimate reactions were investigated by mean item score and exploratory factor analysis. In view of the mean score, “Supplanting”, “Concealing of professional errors” and “Conflict of interest” are the most widely recognized unethical behaviour and conduct of Quantity Surveyors in their administrations conveyance in the investigation territory. From the aftereffects of factor analysis, six main practices were extracted, these are: Dishonesty, Insincerity, Financial mismanagement, Information leaking, Negligence, and Conflict of interest. While this study fills in as significant wellspring of reference for general learning on ethical behavior and moral conduct of Quantity surveyors in construction industry. The methodology utilized in this study can be replicated by different professionals in the construction industry like Architect, Contractors, Builders and the Engineers. This can likewise be duplicated in different areas for further studies.  Moreover, further studies may utilize more techniques in gathered the information. . For this study, only questionnaire survey is utilized. Using several techniques will make the outcomes more adaptable and precise. Method such as interview, comparing data and many more can be adopted, this may explore the connections between the principal factors and their related factors. This study has given valuable data with respect to unethical conduct by Quantity Surveyors. However, the restriction is characteristic in the number of respondents in the investigation which is constrained just to the exploration zone. This study will be important wellspring of reference for general learning on ethical conduct of Quantity surveyors in Nigerian construction industry for researchers and various stakeholders in the industry. This study will be advantageous to all relevant parties that associated with the construction industry extending from those engaged with scholastic research, understudy and experts in the construction industry. The result introduced in this study give adequate confirmation and valuable pointers to illuminate a few confusions about unethical conduct in the construction industry.

scholarly journals Study on the Role of Project Manager in Improving the Project Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Om Prakash Giri
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Execution Monitoring ◽  
Critical Resource

A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of a project. Project manager is responsible to complete the project within time, cost and quality towards making the project a success. Construction industry plays an important role in the economy of the country. The industry, however, is beset with many challenges, including delivering projects within cost, time and quality. Therefore project manager is a critical resource in the project to achieve its objectives. Sadly, the role of the project manager is often overlooked. It is assumed that the leadership role of the project manager is measured against time, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction. The importance of this study is to find various roles that project managers ought to play for improving project performance. Good project management practices and competent project managers always deliver better result.

Key Risks and Challenges During Modern Building Designs in the Construction Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Brian J. Galli ◽  
Mahmoud Ali Alsulaimani
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Risk Matrix ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Building Designs ◽  
The Given ◽  
Modern Building

Although the field of project management has undergone significant improvement, new challenges often make it hard for project managers to meet expectations when planning modern building designs. This article traces such challenges that the project manager must face during modern building projects, as modern building designs are complex and much riskier than traditional ones. Project managers can face different challenges throughout a project, such as a project complexity, a lack of communication, and changes in planning. These risks were studied using a risk matrix, and solutions were provided. The most dominated solution was mitigation, which illustrates that avoiding a risk entirely is highly unlikely. There are specific methods of mitigation based on the given risks, and applying these solutions can help to complete a project on time and to stay within the budget.

scholarly journals Factors hindering the performance of construction project managers

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Powl ◽  
Martin Skitmore
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Contract Administration ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Effective Performance

It has been said that the effective performance of the Project Manager (PM) is the single most critical factor affecting successful project outcomes. Little is known, however, of the nature and extent of the hindrances to PM effectiveness in the Construction Industry (CI). This paper reports on the results of a worldwide survey of PMs concerning these issues and shows that they have the potential to be more effective and more productive in their working. Associated with this is a need to be more aware of progress and developments in the CI generally, more aware of progress and developments in their own organization, more delegation of contract administration tasks and more general administrative support. Also highlighted is the lengthy working hours of PMs.

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