Assessing the interactive effects of the ethics of construction professionals on project performance in the Ghanaian construction industry
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 12 August 2022
Issue publication date: 28 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is beset with unethical behaviours. Although several studies have investigated the effects of unethical behaviours on project performance, research in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) remains scant. Consequently, this research assesses the interactive effects of ethical and unethical behaviours of construction professionals on project performance in the GCI.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was used to obtain primary data from 68 construction professionals, viz, quantity surveyors, architects, civil engineers, clerk of works and project managers, via a closed-ended questionnaire survey. Data collected were analysed using one-sample t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test statistics, after which two hypotheses were tested and validated using regression analysis.
Findings
Reduction of project risks, avoidance of legal problems and maximisation project quality performance were critical effects of ethical behaviours observed on project performance, whereas the effects of unethical behaviours such as cost overrun, abandonment and time overrun were severe on project performance in the GCI. Ethical behaviour was seen to relate to project performance positively, and unethical behaviour was proved to have dire consequences on project performance.
Practical implications
Construction project performance is greatly influenced by professionals' ethical and unethical behaviours. Emergent findings emanating from this research will assist emerging economies in developing and implementing counter policies and systems that mitigate the unethical behaviours of construction professionals.
Social implications
The study highlights the effects of ethical and unethical behaviours on project performance to reorient individuals' perceptions that unethical behaviours are less critical in the construction industry. Supporting evidence encourages individuals to adhere to ethical behaviours in a project environment.
Research limitations/implications
The inability to obtain data across the entire geographical spread of Ghana is acknowledged as a major limitation of the study and affects the generalisation of the results.
Originality/value
This study constitutes a first attempt to establish the interactive effects of ethical and unethical behaviours of construction professionals on project performance within the GCI. A significant addition to the body of knowledge is that ethical and unethical behaviours impact project performance positively or negatively, respectively.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article is a component of a B.Sc. research project aimed at the effect of ethical and unethical behaviour on project performance in the Ghanaian construction industry. The project has been financially supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa. Mr Frank Ato Ghansah deserves special recognition. The authors also thank the several respondents who made time for them despite their hectic schedules. Special thanks also go to the Editors and Reviewers, whose constructive and insightful comments and ideas considerably improved the work's standard.
Citation
Kuoribo, E., Yomoah, R., Owusu-Manu, D.-G., Acheampong, A., John Edwards, D. and Debrah, C. (2023), "Assessing the interactive effects of the ethics of construction professionals on project performance in the Ghanaian construction industry", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 30 No. 10, pp. 5233-5252. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-10-2021-0865
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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