Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering

Book description

Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering

A comprehensive and incisive how-to guide that walks readers through the implementation of robust ethical standards in everyday construction management and decision-making

Recent and high-profile incidents—including the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Lakanal House fire in 2009—have been attributed to failures in the building construction, design, and certification industries. Some commentators have suggested that, while professional construction organizations are bound by codes of ethics, such codes may be downplayed or sometimes even ignored in the day-to-day activities of construction professionals.

Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering is a practical and industry-aligned guide on ethical practice in construction management. The book addresses how existing ethical standards should be applied in daily practice and offers case studies and examples to illustrate their effective implementation. The author also provides a toolkit that can be employed by frontline managers facing common ethical dilemmas.

Readers will find:

  • Thorough discussions of how problematic and dangerous ethical situations arise and how they should be addressed
  • In-depth explorations of conflicts between legal and moral expectations, as well as mismatches between clients’ business goals and the duties of contracting organizations
  • Playbooks for how impactful decisions should be made and how to uphold ethical standards and values
  • Comprehensive review of existing ethical standards and the legal requirements binding construction professionals found in organizations like RICS, RIBA, and the CIOB

A must-read document for construction management practitioners, Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering will also be invaluable to construction clients, contractors, surveyors, and architects, as well as students of construction-related disciplines at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Author Biography
  6. Foreword
  7. Acknowledgement
  8. List of Figures
  9. List of Tables
  10. List of Appendices
  11. List of Abbreviations
    1. 1 Introduction
    2. 1.1 Introduction to the Book
    3. 1.2 Structure of the Book
    4. 1.3 Summary
    5. References
  12. 2 Application of Ethics in the Context of the Construction Industry
    1. 2.1 Introduction
    2. 2.2 The Importance and Significance of the Global Construction Industry
    3. 2.3 Ethical Challenges for the Built Environment
    4. 2.4 The Bespoke Nature of the Construction Industry
    5. 2.5 The Fragmented Nature of the Construction Industry
    6. 2.6 The Role of Construction Professionals in Managing Construction Projects
    7. 2.7 Different Perspectives on Ethics
    8. 2.8 Decision Making from an Ethical Standpoint
    9. 2.9 The Life Cycle of Buildings
    10. 2.10 Summary
    11. References
  13. 3 The Significance and Relevance of Ethics
    1. 3.1 Introduction to the Chapter
    2. 3.2 What Are Professional Ethics?
    3. 3.3 A Brief Historical and Theoretical Perspective on Ethics
    4. 3.4 Historical Theories as Frameworks for Ethics
    5. 3.5 Concept and Purpose of Ethics
    6. 3.6 A Context to the Discussion and Perception around Business Ethics
    7. 3.7 Goals of Professional Ethics
    8. 3.8 The Importance of Professional Ethics for the Construction Industry
    9. 3.9 Ethical Principles and Codes for Construction Professionals
    10. 3.10 How Should Construction Professionals Recognise Unethical Practices?
    11. 3.11 The Need for Construction Professionals to Uphold Ethical and Cultural Values When Procuring Projects
    12. 3.12 Summary
    13. References
  14. 4 Ethical Dilemmas for Construction Practitioners
    1. 4.1 Introduction
    2. 4.2 The Construction Industry’s Ethical Dilemma
    3. 4.3 Ethical Principles and Values
    4. 4.4 Factors Affecting Ethical Dilemmas
    5. 4.5 The Need for Construction Professionals to Uphold Cultural Values When Procuring Projects
    6. 4.6 Maintaining a Duty of Care in Tendering Processes
    7. 4.7 Corporate Hospitality and Gifts
    8. 4.8 Regulation and Governance of Professional Ethics
    9. 4.9 Whistle Blowing
    10. 4.10 Ethical Dilemmas around Self-Deception
    11. 4.11 Practical Examples of Ethical Dilemmas
    12. 4.12 Ethical Dilemmas that Apply to Different Roles
    13. 4.13 Summary
    14. References
  15. 5 Types and Examples of Unethical Conduct and Corruption
    1. 5.1 Introduction
    2. 5.2 How Should Construction Professionals Recognise Unethical Conduct and Practices?
    3. 5.3 Examples of Acts of Unethical Behaviour and Corruption
    4. 5.4 Misuse of Power
    5. 5.5 Corruption
    6. 5.6 Fraud
    7. 5.7 Bribery
    8. 5.8 Conflicts of Interest
    9. 5.9 Ethics and Negligence Linked to the Design and Construction of Buildings
    10. 5.10 Global Corruption in the Construction Industry
    11. 5.11 Effect of Unethical Practices and Corruption
    12. 5.12 Remedies for Unethical Behaviours and Corruption
    13. 5.13 Summary
    14. References
  16. 6 Regulation and Governance of Ethical Standards and Expectations
    1. 6.1 Introduction
    2. 6.2 The Problem of Maintaining Standards around Professional Ethics
    3. 6.3 Financial Regulations, Governance Policies and Delegated Authority
    4. 6.4 Ethical Governance at Tender and Appointment Stages
    5. 6.5 Summary
    6. References
  17. 7 Ethical Project Controls in Construction Management
    1. 7.1 Introduction to the Chapter
    2. 7.2 Project Controls
    3. 7.3 The Importance of Project/Programme Boards
    4. 7.4 Gateway Processes for Project Approval and Business Cases
    5. 7.5 Summary
  18. 8 Developing an Ethics Toolkit, as a Practical Guide for Managing Projects
    1. 8.1 Introduction to the Chapter
    2. 8.2 Planning and Devising the Toolkit
    3. 8.3 Feedback and Evaluation of the Toolkit from the Perspectives of Construction Professionals
    4. 8.4 Ensuring and Monitoring Performance Throughout the Life of Projects: General Project Directory and Checklist
    5. 8.5 The Documentation that Construction Professionals Need to Consider at Pre-Construction Stages
    6. 8.6 Managing Documentation and Processes Following Appointment of Contractors
    7. 8.7 The Documentation and Processes that Construction Professionals Need to Consider in the Construction Phases of Projects
    8. 8.8 The Documentation and Processes that Construction Professionals Need to Consider in the Post-Construction Phases of Projects
    9. 8.9 Summary and Usefulness of the Toolkit
    10. Reference
  19. 9 Ethical Selection and Appointment Processes for the Construction Industry
    1. 9.1 Introduction to the Chapter
    2. 9.2 The Importance of the Contractor Selection Process
    3. 9.3 Articulation of the Problem of Selecting Contracting Partners from the Perspective of Construction Professionals
    4. 9.4 A Historical Perspective of the Problem
    5. 9.5 Risk Considerations
    6. 9.6 Benchmarking
    7. 9.7 Pre-Qualification Models and Methodologies
    8. 9.8 Designing a New Way for Construction Professionals to Select Their Contracting Partners
    9. 9.9 The Quality of Pre-Qualification Processes and Their Influence on Project Success
    10. 9.10 Conclusions
  20. 10 Codes of Conduct for Professional Ethics
    1. 10.1 Introduction to the Chapter
    2. 10.2 Ethical Principles for Construction Professionals
    3. 10.3 Codes of Conduct to Regulate Professional Ethics
    4. 10.4 Maintaining High Standards of Professional Conduct and Competence
    5. 10.5 Governance and Enforcement of Professional Ethics through Codes of Conduct
    6. 10.6 Misconduct and the Reputation of Professions
    7. 10.7 Embedding Ethical Codes, Behaviours and Standards into Organisational Culture
    8. 10.8 Strategies for Improving Codes of Ethics Implementation in Construction Organisations
    9. 10.9 Developing a Model Code of Conduct
    10. 10.10 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Codes of Ethics Checklist
    11. 10.11 The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Codes of Conduct
    12. 10.12 The Royal Institution of British Architects Codes of Conduct
    13. 10.13 The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Codes of Conduct
    14. 10.14 Summary
    15. References
  21. 11 Implications in Practice for Ethics in the Construction Industry
    1. 11.1 Introduction
    2. 11.2 Reputation and Image Implications for the Construction Industry on Unethical Practices
    3. 11.3 The Effects on Construction Project Performance Brought About by Unethical Practices
    4. 11.4 Upholding Ethical Practices
    5. 11.5 Remedies for Unethical Behaviours and Practices in the Construction Industry
    6. 11.6 Summary
    7. References
  22. 12 Summary of Key Points, Reflections, Overview and Closing Remarks
    1. 12.1 Introduction
    2. 12.2 Summary of the Key Issues Raised Throughout the Book
    3. 12.3 Final Reflections, Overview and Closing Remarks
  23. Appendix A Anti Bribery Policy
  24. Appendix B Counter Fraud and Response Policy
  25. Appendix C Criminal Finances Act Policy
  26. Appendix D Template for the Gateway 1 Project Proposal
  27. Appendix E Template for the Gateway 3 Business Case Process Business Case
  28. Appendix F Example of a Contractor Competency Questionnaire
  29. Appendix G Example of a Project Execution Plan (PEP)
  30. Appendix H Example of a Health and Safety Contractor’s Handbook
  31. Appendix I RICS Regulations and Guidance Notes
  32. Appendix J RICS Frequently Asked Questions Document Linked to Their Global Professional and Ethical Standards
  33. Glossary of Terms
  34. Index
  35. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Professional Ethics in Construction and Engineering
  • Author(s): Jason Challender
  • Release date: August 2022
  • Publisher(s): Wiley-Blackwell
  • ISBN: 9781119832096