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

Shah, Raj; Alotaibi, Mazyad

doi:10.3126/jacem.v3i0.18905

Cited by 17 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This has been attributed to issues such as excessive love for money, unrealistic performance target and economic hardship (Adeniyi, Adegbembo and Ojo, 2018). Within the broader construction industry, unethical practices exist due to several factors such as greed (Aigbavboa, Oke and Tyali, 2016), conflict of interest among construction professionals and stakeholders (Shah and Alotaibi, 2017), cultural practices and the economic climate (Sohail and Cavill, 2008), nepotism and self-interests (Auoad, 2018).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These questionable behaviours are unethical practices that contradict the norms of the different professions represented in the industry (Wold, Laedre and Lohne, 2019). According to Adnan, et al (2012) and Shah and Alotaibi (2017), the industry can only thrive and perform optimally when good ethical practices are put in place. However, this is not the situation as a high prevalence of unethical practices within the construction industry has been noted in past studies (Ho, 2011;Shah and Alotaibi, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Adnan, et al (2012) and Shah and Alotaibi (2017), the industry can only thrive and perform optimally when good ethical practices are put in place. However, this is not the situation as a high prevalence of unethical practices within the construction industry has been noted in past studies (Ho, 2011;Shah and Alotaibi, 2017). Unethical practices are reportedly detrimental not just to the industry but also to the economy and human resources of countries worldwide (Aigbavboa, Oke and Tyali, 2016;Olatunji, et al, 2016;Oyewobi, et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, this is not the case in the industry as despite the extant laws, regulations, guidelines and code of ethics to guide the conduct of construction professionals, unethical practices still abound in the industry (Vee and Skitmore, 2003;Chilipunde and Kaima, 2015). The occurrence of these unethical practices has been reported both in developed countries like Australia and the United Kingdom (Vee and Skitmore, 2003;CIOB, 2013;Brown and Loosemore, 2015) and developing countries such as Malaysia (Adnan, et al, 2012), Saudi Arabia (Shah and Alotaibi, 2017), South Africa (Aigbavboa, Oke and Tyali, 2016), Bostwana (Legae andAdeyemi, 2017), Zambia (Mukumba andMuya, 2013;Zulu and Muleya, 2019) and Kenya (Mathenge, 2012). The situation is no different in Nigeria where the significant occurrence of unethical practices has been observed within the construction industry (Oyewobi, et al, 2011;Adeyemo and Amade, 2016;Ameh, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Paul

Aghimien

Ibrahim

et al. 2021

CEB

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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.

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Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

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

Paul

Aghimien

Ibrahim

et al. 2021

CEB

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While such techniques aim at ensuring a fair and competitive bidding process, a highly debated topic in the literature with respect to the contractor and subcontractor selection process is the unethical bidding practices such as underbidding, bid cutting and shopping, bid rigging and overbilling (Azhar, Selph, & Maqsood, 2011; Olusegun, Benson, Esther, & Michael, 2011). For example, in a recent study in the Middle East, Shah and Alotaibi (2017) demonstrate that top three contractor-related factors leading to unethical bidding practices were withdrawal of an offer in exchange of money, bid shopping (such as divulging one’s bid to other competitors prior to award, in order to secure a low bid) and bid rigging (wherein, competitors conspire to allow one another to secure contracts at raised prices). Cognizant of this fact, measures are laid down by various regulatory authorities to curtail such practices.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subcontractor Selection Process Through Vendor Bids: A Case of An Outsourcing Service in Construction

Ramalingam

2020

IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review

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Subcontractors handle a large portion of the work in construction projects. The ability of the general contractor to deliver projects on time, within budget and with the expected level of quality are significantly dependent on the performance of subcontractors. Thus, selecting the right subcontractor for the right task is a determining factor for project success. Literature has identified several criteria for subcontractor selection that predominantly includes financial capacity, ability to complete on time and reputation and quality of workmanship. However, as projects are becoming more global and complex, ensuring selection and award through a fair and competitive formal process becomes imperative. Nevertheless, an understanding of a formal process, backing the selection criteria, seems to be lacking; more so in the context of engineering outsourcing services. Vendor bid analysis is one such service, wherein the general contractor packages the bids received from several subcontractors to a team in a different country who evaluate and enable the general contractor to select and award the subcontractors for project tasks. To this end, an exploratory case study was conducted in an outsourcing firm in India that provide services to general contractors in the USA to understand the formal process of subcontractor selection across organizational boundaries along with its inherent risks and challenges. Data was collected through a participatory research approach, supplemented with participant observation and team interviews which were analysed through inductive reasoning and cross-case comparison methods. The findings showed a formalized 5-phase process across the organizational interface that included assess, identify, evaluate, negotiate and optimize phases. Further, delving into the evaluate, negotiate and optimize phases, the nuances in outsourced projects and the firms strategy to overcome them were evident, such as selection criteria and negotiation strategy adopted in the case of a single bidder with high pricing to mitigate probable bid-rigging practices or ensuring constant training to overcome the challenges due to lack of trade and country specific know-how. In addition, through a reflective approach, the value addition services provided to the general contractor aimed to optimize the process and improve project governance. These findings are expected to provide practical implication for firms in similar business and act as a steppingstone to conduct further robust research.

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Change in Rhetoric but not in Action? Framing of the Ethical Issue of Modern Slavery in a UK Sector at High Risk of Labor Exploitation

Gold

Trautrims

2021

J Bus Ethics

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This article shows how the ethical framing of the contemporary issue of modern slavery has evolved in UK construction, a sector in which there is a high risk of labor exploitation. It also examines how these framing dynamics have inhibited the emergence of a common framework of action to deal with the issue. We draw on both framing theory and the literature on the discursive construction of moral legitimacy. Our longitudinal analysis reveals that actors seeking to shape the debate bring their own moral schemes to justify and construct the legitimacy of their frames. Actors cluster their views around five evolving frames: human rights issue (later shifting to hidden crime), moral issue, management issue (later shifting to human moral obligation), social justice issue, and decent work issue—which promote particular normative evaluations of what the issue is, who is responsible, and recommendations for action. Our study contributes to a dynamic and political understanding of the meaning making of modern slavery. We identify the antecedents and conditions that have forestalled the emergence of new patterns of action to tackle modern slavery in the UK construction sector thereby evidencing the effects of the interplay of morally competing frames on field-level change.

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

Cited by 17 publications

References 8 publications

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

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

Subcontractor Selection Process Through Vendor Bids: A Case of An Outsourcing Service in Construction

Change in Rhetoric but not in Action? Framing of the Ethical Issue of Modern Slavery in a UK Sector at High Risk of Labor Exploitation

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