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Exploring the Factors Inducing Contractors’ Unethical Behavior: Case of China

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: The construction industry is experiencing more serious ethical problems than ever before. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the inducers of individuals’ unethical behavior in contractors’ organizations in the Chinese construction industry; and (2) investigate the interrelationships among these inducers. Based on a literature review and interviews, 18 factors inducing unethical behavior were identified, and a questionnaire survey was performed, which garnered 129 responses. The results showed that 13 inducers were significantly important, and that “cost pressures,” “inadequate sanctions,” and “absence of ethics systems” were the top three inducers of unethical behavior. Additionally, the 18 inducers were categorized into 5 underlying groupings: culture-related inducers; policy environment; project pressures; individual traits; and organizational climate. Further analysis results indicated that culture-related inducers indirectly influence organizational climate through their direct impact on policy environment, project pressures, and individual traits. The proposed framework describing the inducers and the intergrouping relationships provides an understanding of the formation mechanism of contractors’ unethical behavior.

Source: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)ei.1943-5541.0000316

Authors: Junying Liu, Xianbo Zhao, Yuan Li

Institutions: Tianjin University, Central Queensland University

Language: English

Topic: Ethics in Business and Education

Subfield: Information Systems and Management

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences