Internal Organizational Culture And Ethical Issues In A Construction Firms Assignment Sample

Introduction - Ethical Challenges Impacting Construction Firms Today

This report was written from the point of view of the construction manager of the company that was considered in this project. Here, there is a description of the issues that are present in the organization. These all are the ethical issues that are mentioned in this report. Moreover, the ethical codes that have the ability to affect the organization are also present here. The description of how ethical codes affect the responsibilities of CM is also present in this report. Also, there is a description of how bodies like RICS promote ethical behaviour inside the organization is present in this report.

Ethical Issues

Safety and industry laws

Ensuring worker safety and following through on industry laws is a major ethical issue in construction. However, Cutting shortcuts on safety precautions in order to meet deadlines or save money can have serious consequences, including accidents and loss of life (Eniola et al. 2019). To ensure the well-being of their workers and the larger society, ethical construction companies stress safety practices, invest in training, and closely adhere to laws and regulations.

Figure 1: Ethical Issues

(Source: Self-created)

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Construction activities frequently have significant impacts on the environment, such as resource depletion, pollution, and habitat damage. When companies fail to follow sustainable practices, such as recycling materials, decreasing waste, and using energy-efficient technology, ethical problems arise (Kucharska & Kowalczyk, 2019). However, Ethical construction companies try to reduce the environmental impact, use environmentally friendly construction methods, and contribute to environmental conservation initiatives.

Fair Labor Practices and Worker Welfare

An important ethical concern is the treatment of workers, including fair salaries, appropriate working hours, and safe working conditions. However, Exploitative practices, such as the abuse of child labor or the lack of sufficient security equipment, endanger workers' well-being and breach moral standards.

Ethical “construction firms” embrace fair labor standards, promote diversity and inclusion, and invest in their workers' professional growth and well-being. Addressing these ethical considerations is not only an ethical duty, but it also contributes to the construction firm's long-term performance and reputation (Asatiani et al. 2021). Adopting ethical practices enhances confidence among stakeholders, lowers legal risks, and grows a healthy corporate culture, all of which benefit both the construction firm and the community at large.

Ethical codes affecting organization culture

Within the construction industry, organizational culture is significantly shaped by ethical rules. Integrity is a basic ethical concept that emphasizes truthfulness and openness. Construction companies who follow this code cultivate a culture of trust with their clients as well as inside the team. Accountability, or the acceptance of responsibility for one's actions, is another important factor that fosters a sense of dependability in the completion of high-quality projects.

The most important ethical principles are treating everyone equally and not discriminating. Prioritizing these principles helps organizations create a diverse, inclusive culture that encourages creativity and innovation. Furthermore, a fundamental ethical norm in the construction sector is a dedication to safety (Alofan et al. 2020). Putting stakeholders' and employees' welfare first not only supports moral principles but also improves the organization's standing.

Figure 2: Organizational factors affecting ethical culture

Get Extra 10% OFF on your WhatsApp order!

use my discount

(Source: Aranki et al. 2019)

Environmental responsibility is becoming more and more important, and sustainable activities are encouraged by ethical guidelines. Businesses that use environmentally friendly practices foster a culture that emphasizes protecting the environment for future generations. Furthermore, adherence to legal requirements and guidelines is essential (Aranki et al. 2019). By making sure that their activities comply with the law, ethical construction organizations strengthen the culture of legal accountability.

In the end, encouraging moral behavior in construction companies fosters a culture that is typified by honesty, responsibility, equity, safety, environmental awareness, and adherence to the law. Together, these moral guidelines create a favorable company culture that benefits staff members, investors, and the general public.

Ethical codes affecting the responsibilities of CM

The duties of a construction manager are significantly impacted by ethical rules, which direct their behavior and decision-making in a complicated sector. Above all, moral obligations necessitate a dedication to honesty. Construction managers bear heavy duties, and following ethical guidelines guarantees that choices and deeds are open, truthful, and beneficial to all parties involved.

For construction managers, accountability and responsibility are fundamental principles of moral conduct. The significance of completing projects on schedule, within budget, and to the greatest possible levels of quality is emphasized by ethical norms (Ali & Anwar, 2021). The manager's duty to the employing organization and the larger community impacted by building projects is increased by this dedication to quality.

Moreover, fair and equal treatment of all team members is emphasized by ethical rules in the construction industry. When it comes to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and encouraging diversity, construction managers are essential. This inclusiveness strengthens the moral foundation of the construction sector and fosters a positive organizational culture.

Role of RICS in promoting ethical behaviors

Professional bodies, like the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), assume a critical part in advancing moral ways of behaving inside development firms. One essential capability is the foundation and requirement of a complete set of rules. RICS, for example, frames moral rules that development experts should comply with, setting a norm for uprightness, transparency, and responsibility.

These expert bodies go about as overseers of expert norms, giving a structure that directs the lead of people inside development firms. Through nonstop training and preparing, they guarantee that industry experts are knowledgeable in moral standards, advancing a culture of "ethical awareness" and capability.

For construction companies, certification and accreditation from groups such as RICS are indicators of legitimacy. A building company might demonstrate its dedication to moral business conduct by joining an established professional association. Customers, stakeholders, and the general public are all given more confidence by this, which also improves the firm's reputation.

Professional associations frequently launch lobbying and awareness initiatives to highlight the value of moral conduct in the building sector. They might work together with government agencies, business associations, and academic institutions to forge a group commitment to moral principles (Rakova et al. 2021). This cooperative strategy enhances the general ethical atmosphere in the building industry.

To sum up, associations such as RICS have a complex function in encouraging moral conduct in building companies. Through the establishment of ethical rules and the provision of training and certification, these organizations play a vital role in developing a construction sector that is known for its professionalism, integrity, and dedication to moral behavior.

Recommendations for promoting ethical behaviors

Maintaining industry standards, building a healthy work environment, and earning client trust all depend on a construction company's promotion of ethical behavior. The following suggestions are meant to improve and promote moral behavior in a construction company:

Develop an Unambiguous Code of Ethics: Create an extensive, easily comprehensible code of ethics specifically for the construction sector. Make sure that every employee is aware of and committed to the values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility. Clearly define what is expected of them.

Programs for Ethics Education: Provide ethics education on a regular basis to staff members of all ranks. Real-world situations, ethical frameworks for making decisions, and the possible repercussions of unethical behavior should all be included in these programs.

Example of Leadership: Leaders in companies ought to set an example of moral conduct in their choices and behaviors. The dedication of the leadership to ethics establishes the standard for the entire company and acts as an example for workers to follow.

Protection for Whistleblowers: Provide a safe and private reporting channel so that staff members can voice ethical issues without worrying about facing consequences (Duryan et al. 2020). Protection for whistleblowers fosters an accountable and transparent culture.

Support Ethical Behavior: Honor and commend staff members who constantly act morally. This can be accomplished through employee recognition programs, performance reviews, or other rewards that stress the value of moral conduct.

Continuous Evaluations and Audits: To assess the organization's adherence to ethical norms, conduct ethical audits on a regular basis. To rectify any ethical transgressions, pinpoint areas that need improvement and put corrective measures in place.

Participation in Community: Stress the benefits that construction projects can have for communities and encourage involvement in community projects (Paais & Pattiruhu, 2020). This strengthens the ethical component of the construction company's work and promotes a sense of social responsibility.

The Ethics of Suppliers and Subcontractors: Include ethical considerations in the selection and assessment procedures, and extend ethical requirements to suppliers and subcontractors. Work together with moral allies to develop a more moral supply chain.

Construction companies may create a strong ethical framework that penetrates the entire organization and promotes a culture of accountability, responsibility, and integrity by combining these suggestions.

Conclusion and Recommendation

From this project, it was found that it is very much necessary to implement policies that result in developing a good ethical environment inside the organization. Also, there are some ethical codes that have the potential to affect the culture of the organization. These are to be tackled by more flexible codes. The ethical codes have also the potential to affect the works of CM. Hence, the ethical considerations in the organization should be such that do not hinder the responsibilities of the CM. There are different factors that can be used in making promotions for the adoption of ethical behavior inside the organization which was found through this project.

References

Journals

• Ali, B.J. and Anwar, G., 2021. Business strategy: The influence of Strategic Competitiveness on competitive advantage. International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Computers, 6(2).
• Alofan, F., Chen, S. and Tan, H., 2020. National cultural distance, organizational culture, and adaptation of management innovations in foreign subsidiaries: A fuzzy set analysis of TQM implementation in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Business Research, 109, pp.184-199.
• Aranki, D.H., Suifan, T.S. and Sweis, R.J., 2019. The relationship between organizational culture and organizational commitment. Modern Applied Science, 13(4), pp.137-154.
• Asatiani, A., Hämäläinen, J., Penttinen, E. and Rossi, M., 2021. Constructing continuity across the organisational culture boundary in a highly virtual work environment. Information systems journal, 31(1), pp.62-93.
• Duryan, M., Smyth, H., Roberts, A., Rowlinson, S. and Sherratt, F., 2020. Knowledge transfer for occupational health and safety: Cultivating health and safety learning culture in construction firms. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 139, p.105496.
• Eniola, A.A., Olorunleke, G.K., Akintimehin, O.O., Ojeka, J.D. and Oyetunji, B., 2019. The impact of organizational culture on total quality management in SMEs in Nigeria. Heliyon, 5(8).
• Kucharska, W. and Kowalczyk, R., 2019. How to achieve sustainability?—Employee's point of view on company's culture and CSR practice. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(2), pp.453-467.
• Paais, M. and Pattiruhu, J.R., 2020. Effect of motivation, leadership, and organizational culture on satisfaction and employee performance. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(8), pp.577-588.
• Rakova, B., Yang, J., Cramer, H. and Chowdhury, R., 2021. Where responsible AI meets reality: Practitioner perspectives on enablers for shifting organizational practices. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW1), pp.1-23.