ASSESSMENT OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Due to an increasing cases of unethical conducts and ethical quandaries such as corruption, negligence, bribery, conflict of interest, bid cutting, underbidding, collusive tendering, cover price, front loading, bid shopping, withdrawal of tender, and payment game among the Quantity surveyors in the Nigerian construction industry; the present study identified the factors contributing to unethical behaviour by Quantity surveyors in their services delivery in Ondo state; assessed the unethical behaviors and conduct of Quantity surveyors in the study area; evaluated the outcome of ethical misconduct among Quantity surveyors on construction industry in the study area; and also assessed the measures to enhance ethical conducts among Quantity surveyors in the study area. Which aimed to establish improved practice among Quantity surveyors. The study employed survey design in the collection of required data. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire which were administered to practicing construction professionals (including Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Builders, Civil and Structural Engineers) in Ondo state. A total number of 138 respondents were purposively selected (42 Quantity Surveyors, 35 Architects, 32 civil and Structural Engineers and 29 Builders). The data collected were analyzed using mean analysis, factor analysis, stand deviation, Gap analysis, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Excessive love for money (MS = 4.29), salaries of workers are delayed (MS = 4.22); economic downtown (MS = 4.20); Competitiveness between contractors (MS = 4.13); political system (MS = 4.08); professional indiscipline (MS = 4.11) are the most contributing factor to unethical behaviour by Quantity Surveyors in their services delivery in Ondo state. The study also showed that transparency and accountability in contact administration, leaders serving as role models, constant supervision of ethics are the most notable measures to enhance ethical conducts among Quantity Surveyors. The study concluded that dissatisfaction of clients and high maintenance cost are the outcomes of outcome of unethical practice in the construction industry. It is then recommended that Effective punishments such as penalties, withdrawal of certificate or even cancellation of license on repetitive violations may be introduced by NIQS.