Barriers to effective implementation of ethical codes in construction organizations: An empirical investigation

Abstract

This study examines the obstacles to effective implementation of ethical codes with the aim to provide knowledge about barriers to effective ethical code integration in construction organizations. Twenty two variables were identified through comprehensive literature review and a web-based questionnaire survey was used for data collection. Mean score and factor analysis were employed to prioritize and categorize the variables. This study presents three categories of barriers to codes of ethics implementation in construction organizations which include ‘managerial and organizational barriers’, ‘planning and monitoring barriers’ and ‘value and interest barriers’. The major barrier to ethical codes implementation in relation to construction organizations is ‘planning and monitoring barriers’. In this regard, organizations should pay attention to these barriers in order to ensure effective implementation of codes of ethics. This study provides information for decision makers in construction organizations striving to implement ethical codes, regarding what constitutes barriers to code integration in their practices.

Keywords:

• construction
• organizations
• implementation
• codes of ethics
• barriers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work described in this paper was supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [PolyU K-QZ14].