Advancing professional ethics: Perceptions of surveying practitioners in Ghana.

Gyau, Kwasi; Manu, Patrick; Olomolaiye, Paul; Mahamadu, Abdul-Majeed; Mason, Jim

Abstract

The creation and management of built assets play a vital role in the socio-economic development of nations. Globally construction output is expected to increase enormously over the next decade with developing countries contributing a significant proportion to this unprecedented growth. This growth is not expected to occur without major challenges. Unethical practices within the construction and property sectors are noted to be amongst the prominent challenges especially in developing countries where these practices are perceived to be more widespread. The economic and social costs imposed by unethical practices are enormous and thus presenting a strong case for concerted efforts by built environment stakeholders at various levels to address them. Whilst several measures have been suggested to tackle unethical practices, it is still unclear the extent to which various stakeholders within the built environment can influence positive change. Connected to this is the question of whether some stakeholders are more able to influence improvement in unethical practices than others, and if so what are those unethical practices and also who are those stakeholders? Also, in view of current efforts towards attaining global consistency in ethical standards for the surveying profession, it is important to understand how surveying practitioners perceive this step. AIMS: This research sought answers to the above questions by undertaking a survey of built environment surveying professionals in Ghana. The survey inquired into the extent to which key stakeholders within the surveying profession in Ghana (i.e. practitioner/professional; the practitioner’s organisation; and professional body) can influence improvement (i.e. positive change) in unethical practices. The survey also inquired into how the move towards global consistency in ethical standards for the surveying profession is viewed by surveying practitioners in Ghana. FINDINGS: Out of 12 unethical practices studied in this research, 3 were found to be significantly different in relation to respondent’s perceptions about the extent to which practitioners, organisations and the professional body can influence improvement. The three unethical practices are: abuse of company resources; discrimination and nepotism; and political interference. The study also showed that for some unethical practices the extent to which stakeholders can influence improvement seem limited and thus raises concern. Furthermore, the study found that an overwhelming majority of the respondents (i.e. 95%) agree that global consistency in ethical standards will be beneficial to the surveying profession and thus signalling support for ongoing international efforts to produce international ethical standards for the surveying profession. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst not seeking to lay blame on or absolve any particular stakeholder, the research offers insights and recommendations which ought to be viewed in a constructive manner by the stakeholders to help enhance the extent to which they can influence improvement in unethical practices to ensure a healthy surveying profession and built environment sectors. Amongst the recommendations is that stakeholders who have been shown by this study to be more able to influence improvement in some unethical practices could act as front runners in applying measures to address those practices.

• Report Type: Research Report
• Online Publication Date: Apr 15, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 15, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 22, 2025