Research Essay on Ethics in Project Management

Abstract

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The topic of ethics in business is one of the current concerns for executives and corporate experts across the globe. The need for the incorporation of ethical standards in each of the business process has raised the demand for scholarly analysis to support the current theoretical postulations. One of the areas where ethics is required involves project management. This research plan outlines a proposed study seeking to evaluate the implication of ethical considerations in project management when planning and implementing procurement processes. The proposed study will be a qualitative study where the primary source of data will be the interviews that will be conducted. The secondary sources will include the published literature and case study reports associated with the research topic. The research plan also includes the associated review of the literature, highlight of validity and reliability, ethical consideration, and a summary reflection.

PART A: The V-DiagramMETHODOLOGY

CONCEPTUALISM

EVENTS

Systematic review of the selected literatures, conducting interviews with the identified personnel, and determining the existing correlation with previous scholarly research

KEY CONCEPTS

The planning process, the competence of project team, resource management, as well as he ethics involving project management procurement are equally essential for the success of the anticipated program.

VALUE

Having a clear knowledge of ethical requirement for effective procurement in project management will assist both the public and private executives

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Q1: What are the unethical practices associated with the procurement process that affects the success project management in organizations?

Q2: What are the essential mitigations approaches to unethical practices and the benefits of ethical considerations in procurement process when planning and implementing projects in organizations?

ANSWER

Ethical considerations in procurement assist in enhancing cost effectiveness and project success

METHODS

The analysis of the collected data will be based on a qualitative approach

METHODOLOGY

CONCEPTUALISM

EVENTS

Systematic review of the selected literatures, conducting interviews with the identified personnel, and determining the existing correlation with previous scholarly research

KEY CONCEPTS

The planning process, the competence of project team, resource management, as well as he ethics involving project management procurement are equally essential for the success of the anticipated program.

VALUE

Having a clear knowledge of ethical requirement for effective procurement in project management will assist both the public and private executives

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Q1: What are the unethical practices associated with the procurement process that affects the success project management in organizations?

Q2: What are the essential mitigations approaches to unethical practices and the benefits of ethical considerations in procurement process when planning and implementing projects in organizations?

ANSWER

Ethical considerations in procurement assist in enhancing cost effectiveness and project success

METHODS

The analysis of the collected data will be based on a qualitative approach

PART B: The Research PlanIntroductionProject management is one of the critical areas that is associated with short-term planning but subjected to long-term implications. The process of planning, implementing, evaluation, and monitoring the project throughout the cycle stages requires excellent skills and experience that will ensure successful outcomes. Although much focus has been set towards the planning process, the competence of project team, and resource management, ethics involving project management are equally essential for the success of the anticipated program. Mishra, Dangayach, and Mittal, (2011) carried out a study that investigated ethics as the essential skill required for project success where they recommended the need for more analysis in line with the specific processes within the project cycle. A project is subjected to several processes such as resource allocation, stakeholder analysis, milestone planning, monitoring and evaluation, change management, and procurement. All the undertakings are sensitive and require the inclusion of ethical considerations to guarantee the success of the project.

This research plan builds on the recommendations of the study by examining the essence of ethics in the procurement process for successful project management. The topic of the study will assist in setting a baseline for future considerations for project teams and organizations seeking to enhance the level of success associated with project implementations from the procurement perspective. The study will also increase awareness on the advantages of ethical practices in procurement during project execution by providing a multidimensional approach to the problem (Ashrafi, 2003). The research plan, therefore, outlines a proposed study that is expected to ascertain that having a succinct procurement strategy founded on ethical standards depicting possible economic risks factors is essential in guaranteeing project success.

Literature ReviewThe area of procurement in project management is one of the critical processes that define the extent of project efficiency. Cox et al. (2005) examined the shift among organizations and individuals towards the application of procurement and supply chain tools to guarantee efficiency and transparency for the projects. The systematic review study considered the assessment of the corporate sector in the European, Japanese, and the United States market. A clear trend was depicted indicating the desire to achieve the likely targets within the initially planned procurement scope and cost. Nevertheless, the possibility of shifts emanating from structural risks affects the capacity of the organizations to realize expected results. The study concluded that the use of technology-based tools could be essential to guarantee the success of the project.

A similar perspective was given to the Grandia et al. (2012) analysis where the scholars investigated the notion of sustainable procurement in line with organizational projects. The study that was focused on the factors that contribute to the success of a project considered the effect of internal factors of the business to assist in achieving an efficient procurement process during project implementation. The evaluations revealed that factors such as the support from the management, the expertise of the key players during implementation, and the commitment of the project team members are essential ascertaining a successful implementation. The study, therefore, recommended the integration of the full support of the stakeholders by giving priority to the expertise of the project team. Such considerations should include not only the planning of procurement but also the manner in which each process or procedure will be executed.

Moreover, review of the procurement process from the context of project management has been extensively discussed in the book Enhancing Procurement Practices. Kovacs (2004) outlined the fundamental principles that define the success of a government or organizational project from the context of procuring essential resources while executing the mandates. According to Kovacs (2004), project management in line with the procurement needs involves the application of the existing knowledge, essential skills, efficient tools, and technology-based approaches to enhance the acquisition, use, and management of project resources. The procedures, mechanisms, and timeline associated with procurement are essential; however, the moral obligation plays a central role in procurement dimensions. The conclusion of the chapter hinted the need for organizations to consider going beyond planning and management of procurement processes in project implementations.

The implication of supplier ethics also has a significant effect on plan administration and procurement. Schleper and Busse (2013) carried out an analysis regarding the standardization of the supplier codes of ethics by reviewing extended market samples in the corporate sector regarding project management. The study considered how the management of vendors also involves the incorporating of set ethical standards, which is entirely the responsibility of the firm to ensure compliance. The research was tailored towards establishing a universally acceptable set of requirements to ensure that organizations can set preference and score indicators for procurement processes to ensure that project implementation is successful. Therefore, the study amended the design science approach through broad consultation with experts and presented a succinct code associated with multiple-effectiveness and diffusion-facilitating dimensions. The objective was to produce an efficient system for supplier-based procurement for project success.

Furthermore, some scholars have examined the need for ethics in project procurement and management from the perspective of causes, implications, and possible mitigation measures. Badenhorst (2000) reviewed the origin of unethical behavior relating to organizations in the corporate sector. According to Badenhorst (2000), unethical occurrences do not entirely emanate from the inability of an individual to embrace ethical standards; however, external environment such as the particular structure of the firm might create an enabling environment for unethical behaviors. For example, the study pointed out the actions of procurement managers, the ethical environment in the organization, and the lack of sound policies to govern procurement contribute to the unethical procuring techniques when planning and implementing projects. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for organizations to establish efficient systems and procurement strategies through policy formation and technology to control the externalities of unethical behaviors in the firm.

The need for ethics in procurement processes also features in government projects based on the nature of the programs regarding size, technicality, and timeline. McCampbell and Rood (2000) carried out an analysis seeking to investigate the effect of misuse of position among managers and project leaders for personal gain. The study examined several projects and the implication of standard and conduct of the government when executing public development plans. The study found that the acquisition strategies subject the projects to a high risk in line with procurement efficiency. The study pointed how the use of position for personal gain is tragic and unethical in the procurement of public projects. The need for sustainability and working within the designated budgetary allocation is threatened whenever the project management team does not adhere the ethical standards. McCampbell and Rood (2000) noted that the possibility of massive emergency budget associated with government programs emanate f...