Determinants of Unethical Performance in Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

Unethical performance is an impediment for economic development and good governance. It is more than true to say it is the bane of development in developing nations of the world under which Nigeria is categorized. The construction sector was highlighted for its practices in areas such as bribery, environmental destruction, capital flight, dangerous practices, poor quality, whistle blowing, etc. and it is also associated with unethical behaviour through the entire construction life cycle. This paper therefore, x-rayed the determinants of unethical performance in Nigerian construction industry with a view to identifying the causes in all the stages of building project. Well structured questionnaires were self administered to direct stakeholder involved in the execution of building projects considered for this research work. Literature review revealed that corruption is evident in the construction industry which causes a lot of setback to project such as abandonment of such project and if complete may be completed below standard. Data were presented and analyzed using non parametric statistic; tools used were Severity indices and Relative importance index rather than mean scores since the data were ordinal in nature. It was observed that the building construction industry is perceived to be more susceptible to ethical problems because of several features and that corruption has effect on all stages of construction right from Planning, Tender stage to Completion stage. It was recommended that viable legislation as a mechanism to deal with small levels of corruption by strengthening professional institutions that will punish erring members will prevent corruption to a certain degree; and enforcement and monitoring measures of anti corruption agencies is believed can enhance transparency, accountability and reduced unethical behavior, and this will create an enabling environment possible for the industry to thrive, operate, and improve on quality and quantity of infrastructure on a more sustainable basis and thereby foster good construction practice ethics.

Project Failure: The Way forward and Panacea for Development

“…With all these, it appears that Nigeria has failed to attain its economic potentials and corruption may be ascribed as one of the major factors aiding the country's limited infrastructure development and high rate of project failure. Nonetheless, Oyewobi et al (2011) explained that corruption in construction projects can be eliminated if all participants in projects cooperate in the development and implementation of effective anti-corruption actions, which address the perpetrators of the ethical problems. The suggestions proffered above for curbing corruption in construction sector projects in Nigeria can be extended to projects executed in other sectors within the Nigerian society.…”

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

“…Those stated have their individual inputs concerning the issues in hand and integrity issues in the construction industry (Hamzah et al, 2010). In the business development, setting morals is a strategy for giving ones best to ensure that the hobbies of the customer are suitably encouraged (Oyewobi et al, 2011). …”

Effects of Internal Control System Deficiency on Contractors’ Infrastructural Development Capability in the Nigerian Public Sector

“…Nwachukwu and Emoh (2011) opined that the investment attraction of building development by the public sector is of strategic importance to all sectors of the Nigerian economy. Oyewobi et al (2011) found that there exists a relationship between internal control and project activities involving the government as principal and contractors as agents of the government, in line with agency theory.…”

“…Internal control system for contractors' capability has not been adequately analysed in literature (Dada, 2013;Honek, Elie Azar, & Menassa, 2012;Alinaitwe, Apolot, & Tindiwensi, 2013;Ayodele & Michael, 2011;Oyewobi, Ganiyu, Oke, Olaawo, & Shittu, 2011;Ilesanmi, 2010). Amudo and Inanga (2009) stated that there exists a relationship between the internal control system and project activities.…”

“…Although some factors have been recommended to be important for an improved infrastructure development, an efficient internal control system seems a common trend in achieving a successful infrastructure development (Ingwe, Mboto, & Ebong, 2012;Oyewobi et al, 2011).…”