Ethical behaviour in the construction procurement process, $15,000

Project Leader:
JOliver

UoN Project Leader:
KLondon

Duration:
2003 - 2005

Aims & Objectives:
The focus of previous research into ethics has been on developing codes of conduct for the industry. This research addressed the question of why codes that are developed are difficult to implement. It looked at the complexity of ethical issues and the obstacles preventing the practice of codes and ethics in actual industry settings. Workshops conducted uncovered some of the complexity of practices that operate in the industry from the practitioners’ perspective.

Deliverables:
A report documenting a selected literature review on ethics related publications in construction management and economics discipline and in business ethics;

Research methodology discussing methodology justification and data collection and analysis techniques;
results and discussion providing a discussion on results and their interpretations;

Conclusions in the form of seven key recommendations based upon the interpretation of the data in relation to current theory and current practices towards improvement of ethical behaviour

Outcomes/Impact:
An ethics based procurement process will be more efficient and productive, and will improve inter-organisational relationships throughout the supply chain

Project Participants:
University of Newcastle
Queensland University of Technology
Building Commission
Queensland Government Department of Public Works
Rider Hunt
John Holland