Developing a code of ethical practices for contractors in the construction industry in Gaza Strip

Other Title(s)

تطوير كود للممارسات الأخلاقية للمقاولين في صناعة الإنشاءات في قطاع غزة

Dissertant

Hammudah, Bassam Ahmad Numan

Thesis advisor

al-Sawalihi, Nabil Ibrahim

Comitee Members

Tayih, Bassam Abd al-Rahman
al-Najjar, Husam Muhammad

University

Islamic University

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering

Department

Department of Civil Engineering

University Country

Palestine (Gaza Strip)

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2016

English Abstract

This research looks at the increasing need to consider the role of ethics in construction.

Contractors are considered the most essential party in construction industry projects as they have direct and overlapping relationships with all other parties.

These relationships with others encounter in ethical and unethical practices.

The research’s aim is to improve the ethical behavior of contractors in the field of construction projects in Gaza Strip; by developing a code of ethical practices that contractors must follow during performing their works.

The code was developed based on the information and feedback gathered from conducting a literature on the topics related to ethics in construction industry and reviewing of similar ethical codes in other countries, in addition to conducting a questionnaire survey.

(270) questionnaires were distributed to contractors and clients who are working in the field of construction projects in Gaza Strip.

(196) questionnaires were received with response rate of 73.00%.

After developing the code, and to test the validation and verification of the developed code of ethics, a focus group session consisting of four engineers and three contractors was conducted.

Results indicated that there is a large consensus among contractors and clients about the importance of developing a code of ethical practices for contractors in Gaza strip.

In addition, existing customs, traditions, political and economic conditions, would not affect the application of the code in Gaza strip.

Moreover, results showed that, the most important issues that must be addressed by the ethical code are work ethics issues, gratuities and bribes issues, conflicts of interest issues, safety issues and hours of work issues.

In addition the most important objective of the code is using the ethical code as a legal and binding paper in the construction contracts through which the accountability of the contractor in case of any ethical transgressions.

Results indicated that adoption of the code by the Palestinian Contractors Union would support in enforcing the code and the role government and industry institutions in Gaza strip is not sufficient and so government and industry associations in Gaza strip need to have a role.

The final report of the focus group indicated that the code is valid and it represent a step forward in the way of construction industry development in Gaza strip.

The results of the research recommended to that there is an urgent need for an independent and responsible body to take the lead of the adoption and the application of the ethical code and more efforts need to be done to help contractors to understand and realize the importance and role of ethics in construction industry.

Education and mandatory training programs can be conducted for contractors about the content of the developed ethical code.

Media’s role and research development also is very important.

Main Subjects

Civil Engineering

No. of Pages

167

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-723995