Challenges faced by professional construction project managers in South Africa in complying with their professional code of conduct

Abstract

Empirical evidence has revealed prevalence of unethical practices in the Construction industry. These malpractices results in project failures. On the contrary, successful delivery of construction and infrastructure projects brings physical development which promotes economic growth and improves the country’s Gross domestic product. For that reason, professional codes of conduct are established as a deterrent to unethical behaviour. The debate whether the adoption of professional codes of conduct bear improved results remains ongoing. Although literature has identified non-compliance to the codes of conduct as one of the factors leading to such malpractices, little is known about challenges facing construction professionals in complying with their code of conduct. This study answered the question, “what challenges do construction project managers in South Africa face in complying with their code of conduct?”

Interpretivism research philosophy and an inductive approach to theory development was adopted. The investigation is conducted to study professional construction project managers registered with SACPCMP in the category of professional construction managers and professional construction project managers. A systematic review of the SACPCMP code of conduct identified 39 obligations imposed on professional construction project managers by their code of conduct. An internet based questionnaire survey was used to examine the extent of compliance with these 39 professional obligations, followed by semi structured face to face individual interviews to identify challenges. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis technique.

Results of the questionnaire survey showed that 76% of the participants fully comply with all 39 obligations. 12 out of the 72 respondents of the questionnaire survey admitted to being non compliant to certain obligations of their code of conduct. 10 out of 72 respondents did not respond to certain obligations. 10 out of the 12 respondents who admitted to being non-compliant participated in the face to face semi structured interviews. The findings of the semi structured interviews revealed the following challenges, obedience to authority, peer pressure, low moral awareness, time constraints, breach of confidence, act of kindness and socio political pressure.