A comprehensive analysis of the critical role played by ethics in construction organisations, and a toolkit for implementing a strong ethical culture
In Organisational Ethics in the Built Environment, accomplished construction leader Jason Challender delivers an insightful and important resource for construction industry professionals contributing to the creation of safe and suitable projects. The author explains how to construct the foundation for ethical building and business practices in the construction industry, and explores the methods, motives and rationales behind successful and ethical projects from an organisational and industry perspective.
You’ll learn how practical improvements to organisational ethics can promote ethical standards, behaviours and practices and influence the success of projects in the built environment. You’ll also discover the importance of leadership, motivational management, human resource management, corporate responsibility and social value in encouraging strict compliance and adherence to ethical principles, values and standards within organisations.
Readers will also find:
- A thorough introduction to the critical importance of trust, collaborative working and partnering arrangements in contemporary construction and engineering organisations
- Comprehensive explorations of the relevance of environmental ethics
- Practical discussions of how to link corporate policies and strategies to ethical guidelines
- Case studies from across a variety of knowledge fields, including manufacturing and retail
Perfect for construction managers, Organisational Ethics in the Built Environment will also benefit undergraduate and postgraduate students of construction, business, management, engineering and other construction related subjects.
Table of Contents
Author Biography xii
Foreword xiii
Acknowledgements xv
List of Figures xvi
List of Tables xvii
List of Appendices xviii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Introduction to the Book 1
1.2 Overarching Rationale, Synopsis and Justification: The Aim and Objectives for Writing the Book 1
1.3 The Need to Rethink the Concept of Organisational Ethics 2
1.4 The Fragmentation and Bespoke Nature of the UK Construction Industry 3
1.5 Examples of How This Area Is Used or Represented in Our Society Today 4
1.6 The Lack of Trust in Construction Contracting and Reputational Damage for the Industry and Those Organisations Associated with It 4
1.7 The Book's Value Proposition and Its Unique and Outstanding Features 5
1.8 Audience for the Book 8
1.9 Structure of the Book 8
1.10 Summary 10
2 An Introduction to Organisational Ethics 13
2.1 Introduction to Chapter 13
2.2 What Are Ethics? 14
2.3 The Importance and Relevance of Organisational Ethics in the Construction and Engineering Sectors 16
2.4 Possible Effects of Workplace Ethics on Employees and Organisational Productivity 17
2.5 Organisational Culture Linked to Ethics 18
2.6 Summary 19
3 Environmental Ethics 22
3.1 Introduction to Environmental Ethics 22
3.2 Climate Change and Sustainability 23
3.3 Context for the Discussion on Environmental Ethics 23
3.4 What Are Environmental Ethics and Sustainability? 24
3.5 The Importance of Sustainability and the Ethical Case for Participation 25
3.6 The Global and National Agenda on Sustainability 26
3.7 Environmental Social Responsibility 27
3.8 Dilemmas around Environmental Ethics 28
3.9 Examples of Environmental Ethics and Sustainability in Practice: Case Study One -- A UK Northwest College 29
3.10 Examples of Environmental Ethics and Sustainability in Practice: Case Study Two -- A UK Northwest University 36
3.11 Summary 41
4 Corporate Social Responsibility 45
4.1 Introduction 45
4.2 What Is Corporate Social Responsibility? 46
4.3 The Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility for Businesses 46
4.4 Social Value as Part of Corporate Social Responsibility 47
4.5 Different Types and Models of Corporate Social Responsibility 50
4.6 The Considerate Constructor Scheme 52
4.7 Corporate Codes and Ethical Statements 56
4.8 Sustainable and Ethical Construction Linked to Corporate Social Responsibility 58
4.9 Summary 60
5 Relationship between Ethics and Other Factors 63
5.1 Introduction 63
5.2 The Relationship between Risk and Ethics 64
5.3 The Relationship between Ethics and Quality 67
5.4 Potential Impact of Professional Ethics on Construction Quality 69
5.5 Reputation and Ethics 69
5.6 Ethics and Trust 70
5.7 Ethics and Leadership 70
5.8 Ethics and Motivation 71
5.9 Summary 72
6 Ethical Human Resource Considerations 75
6.1 Introduction 75
6.2 Inclusivity, Equality and Diversity 75
6.3 Ethical Issues around Culture 81
6.4 Initiatives and Accreditations Available for Construction Organisations to Drive Positive Change for Diversity and Inclusion 83
6.5 A Toolkit for Change: Reflection on How the Construction Industry Can Improve Diversity and Inclusion 83
6.6 Ethical Supply Chain Management 85
6.7 Modern Slavery 86
6.8 Data Protection 91
6.9 Summary 93
7 Ethics around Construction Health and Safety 95
7.1 Introduction 95
7.2 Governance and Management of Health and Safety in the UK 96
7.3 The Institution of Occupational Safety (IOSH) 99
7.4 Ethical Dilemmas around Construction Health and Safety 100
7.5 The Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) 2015 101
7.6 Procedures and Documentation around Construction Health and Safety 105
7.7 Summary 106
8 Ethical Considerations around Trust and Collaborative Working 108
8.1 Introduction 108
8.2 Professional Ethics and Duties of Trust 109
8.3 The Fragility and Robustness of Trust in a Constantly Changing and Dynamic Environment 110
8.4 The Importance of Trust for Collaboration and Professional Ethics 112
8.5 The Interdependency between Trust, Collaborative Working and Professional Ethics 117
8.6 The UK Construction Industry and Recent Reforms to Encourage Trust and Collaboration 120
8.7 Traditional Procurement of Construction Projects 121
8.8 Overall Context of Collaborative Working and Partnering within the Construction Industry 123
8.9 Trust as a Collaborative Necessity 125
8.10 Different Context for Clients to Consider in Construction Procurement 127
8.11 Summary 131
9 The Importance of Ethical Leadership in Construction and Engineering Management 137
9.1 Introduction to Chapter 137
9.2 Key Components of Ethical Leadership for Construction Professionals 138
9.3 Ethical Leadership and Best Companies 139
9.4 Leadership Identity and Relevance for Construction Professionals 142
9.5 How to Think and Behave as a Responsible Leader 143
9.6 Leadership Challenges for Construction Professionals around Professional Ethics 147
9.7 Leadership Styles and Professional Ethics as Applied to Construction Professionals 147
9.8 The Importance of Communication for Construction Professionals in Ethical Leadership 148
9.9 Adaptability of Leadership Styles for Construction Professionals 149
9.10 The Relationship between Poor Leadership and Project Failure 150
9.11 Summary 151
10 Professional Ethics as a Means for Motivating Project Teams 155
10.1 Introduction 155
10.2 The Relationship between Motivation, Professional Ethics and Trust in the Construction Industry? 156
10.3 The Bespoke and Unique Nature of the Construction Industry 157
10.4 Factors Which Affect Motivation Levels of Project Teams 158
10.5 Communication as a Motivational Factor 159
10.6 Training and Education Related to Motivation and Ethical Compliance 161
10.7 Cultural Factors Affecting Levels of Motivation for Construction-related Staff 163
10.8 The Use of Financial Incentives as a Motivational Management Tool 165
10.9 Summary and Conclusion 167
11 Case Study of How Ethics Can Be Influenced by an International Crisis 172
11.1 Introduction 172
11.2 Professional Ethics in the Context of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic 173
11.3 Positive Examples of Ethical Behaviours during the Pandemic 174
11.4 Examples of Unethical Behaviours during the Pandemic 176
11.5 Ethical Considerations around the UK Government Job Retention 'Furlough' Scheme 178
11.6 Contractual Implications Brought about by the Pandemic 179
11.7 Additional Measures to Ensure Health and Safety of Workforce during the Pandemic 179
11.8 Ethical Leadership Throughout the Pandemic 182
11.9 Reflections for the Future 184
11.10 Summary 184
12 Independent Research Study 187
12.1 Introduction 187
12.2 Review of Existing Literature and Theory 188
12.3 Research, Design and Methodology 199
12.4 Conclusion and Recommendations 217
13 Implications in Practice for Organisational Ethics in the Built Environment 223
13.1 Introduction 223
13.2 The Importance of Reputation and Image for Organisations in the Built Environment 224
13.3 The Relationship between Ethics and Quality for Organisations 225
13.4 Initiatives and Measures to Improve Organisational Ethics 225
13.5 Education, Training and Continued Professional Development (CPD) around Organisational Ethics 229
13.6 Summary 230
14 Summary of Key Points, Reflections, Overview and Closing Remarks 232
14.1 Introduction 232
14.2 Summary of the Key Issues Raised throughout the Book 232
14.3 Final Reflections, Overview and Closing Remarks 250
References 251
Appendix A Energy, Water and Carbon Management Plan 253
Appendix B Environmental and Sustainability Strategy Document 269
Appendix C Considerate Constructor Scheme Site Registration Monitors Checklist 283
Appendix D COVID-19 Project Review of Site Operating Procedures 289
Appendix E Supply Chain Communication and Coronavirus Business Continuity
Planning 298
Appendix F COVID-19 Management System 299
Index 301
