Professional practice appears to be an emerging concept worldwide in every industry, with recent corporate scandals like Enron highlighting the malpractices of certain professionals. What is a profession, and who are the professionals are questions that seem to require clarification in the new context of an industrial society with its complex division of labour. If everyone is a professional, the term “professional” loses its real meaning. Academics define a professional as a person who is formally certified by a professional body as belonging to a specific profession by having completed a required course of studies and or practice, and whose competence can usually be measured against an established set of standards.
The current business environment has left professionals, not only in the construction industry but also in other industries, facing significant employment risks that can only be addressed through proper professional practices. Professional judgment, knowledge, behaviour, and concerns are integral to good professional practice.
The construction industry, as one of the significant contributors to a country’s GDP, employs a variety of professionals, including Project Managers, Engineers, Architects, QSs, and Facilities Managers. Among these, QSs are crucial figures in the industry, as theirs is the profession primarily responsible for determining the cost of a construction project. They also play key roles in managing construction costs efficiently and administering contracts.
Given these inherently critical duties, the importance of good professional practices for QSs is undeniable, just as it is for other professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Definition of Professionalism: A professional is an individual formally certified by a recognized body, having completed the necessary education and training, which distinguishes them from others in the workforce.
- Critical Role of Good Practices: In the construction industry, particularly for Quantity Surveyors, good professional practices are essential for effective cost management and successful project delivery.
- Consequences of Poor Practices: The absence of good professional practices leads to negative outcomes such as decreased job satisfaction, hindered career development, and reputational damage for individuals, as well as legal issues and poor organizational performance.
- Need for Structured Frameworks: Implementing structured frameworks for professional conduct is vital for mitigating risks and enhancing both individual and organizational effectiveness in maintaining ethical standards and operational efficiency.
The Effects and Impact of the Absence of Good Professional Practice
The consequences of poor professional practices can be categorized into effects on individuals and effects on organizations.
Effects on Individuals
1. Poor performance by employees and job dissatisfaction
Poor professional practices negatively affect employee performance. Employees may focus on advancing their careers and earning more money while ignoring procedures and protocols, which can lead to additional paperwork and errors requiring rework. At the same time, ethical employees who follow rules may feel irritated and demotivated, often resulting in decreased performance.
Additionally, employees may act as they please, significantly reducing productivity. If the organization fails to uphold professional practices, disputes are likely to arise in situations where professionals must collaborate on project deliverables, further leading to job dissatisfaction.
2. Hindered career and professional development
In the absence of good professional practices, duties and activities may not be performed in an organized manner, causing short-term and long-term consequences. In such an environment, professional development will not progress as expected. Furthermore, the lack of professional practices will highlight poor corporate governance and succession planning, hindering reasonable career development opportunities.
3. Tarnished reputation
If an individual is found guilty of unethical practices or fraudulent activities, due to a lack of understanding of a code of ethics, professional knowledge, judgment, and behavior, their reputation will suffer. They may also face conflicts of interest without realizing they are engaging in unethical practices. Depending on the severity of the situation, disciplinary actions or legal proceedings may follow.
4. Work inefficiencies due to negligence
Without proper professional practices, employees may make mistakes due to negligence and insufficient knowledge. If identified early, these errors can be rectified by redoing the task. However, if the errors impact the company’s final deliverables or the client’s product, clients may claim damages, portraying inefficiencies in the professionals’ work.
Effects on Organizations
1. Legal issues
When professional practices are well-established, professionals are less likely to engage in fraud, corruption, or unethical or unlawful activities. Conversely, the absence of good practices increases the likelihood of professional negligence, leading to legal issues for the organization.
2. Bad reputation and lack of credibility
Organizations strive to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. A positive reputation is often enough to secure a significant market share. If employees fail to deliver satisfactory service to customers and stakeholders, it can damage the organization’s reputation. This not only tarnishes the organization’s image but also negatively affects profitability.
3. High employee turnover
A well-structured professional practice framework makes it easier for professionals to adapt and perform effectively. In contrast, disorganized duties and processes make the organization less attractive to employees, resulting in high turnover rates. If engagement conditions are not appropriately managed to mitigate turnover, financial losses may also occur.
4. Poor-quality work output
Without proper professional practices, professionals may lack the necessary knowledge, judgment, behaviour, and commitment to their duties. Consequently, high-quality output cannot be expected. Poor corporate governance and low employee engagement further hinder the organization’s ability to maximize its resources.
5. Decline in share price and market capitalization
The absence of proper professional practices can erode shareholder and stakeholder trust, leading to a drop in share prices for publicly listed companies. Investors are unlikely to invest in organizations with a history of professional malpractice. Poor performance resulting from malpractice also risks reducing the organization’s market capitalization.
6. Allegations by society, government, and media
Organizations are expected to demonstrate public accountability. Without proper professional practices, professionals and organizations may fail to meet their obligations to society. This can expose the organization to severe allegations from the public, government, media, and other stakeholders.
The RICS Code of Conduct
The RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Code of Conduct outlines essential ethical standards for professionals in the surveying and construction industries. Here’s a simplified overview of its key principles:
- Honesty and Integrity: Members must act with honesty and integrity, ensuring they do not mislead clients or stakeholders and actively manage any conflicts of interest.
- Professional Competence: Professionals are required to maintain their expertise and ensure that services are delivered by qualified individuals who possess the necessary skills and knowledge.
- Quality Service: RICS members must provide high-quality services, understanding client needs, communicating effectively, and ensuring that all work is carried out diligently.
- Respect and Diversity: Members should treat everyone with respect, promote diversity, and prevent discrimination or harassment in their professional environments.
- Public Interest: Professionals must act in the public interest, taking responsibility for their actions and striving to maintain public confidence in the profession by preventing harm and addressing concerns appropriately.
These principles are designed to uphold the reputation of the profession and ensure ethical behaviour among its members.
Conclusion
The nature of professionalism has to change with the new complexities of modern industries. Recent events in corporate scandals have shown that clear definitions and good professional practices are more important than ever before. In the construction industry, where the services of QSs are critical to the success of a project, failure to observe good practices will have wide-ranging consequences that affect not just careers but also the integrity of organizations. Setting up strong frameworks for professional conduct serves to protect not only the interests of stakeholders but also to create an enabling environment for ethical behaviour and high-quality work output. Reinforcing good professional practices is necessary, therefore, to sustain trust and credibility in any profession.
