Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

1 Tabriz university

2 malayer universiyu

3 malayer university

Abstract

Although there is a general agreement on the role of ethics in the engineering profession, especially civil engineering, a model that can demonstrate how to enhance the professional ethics of civil engineers has not been reported and no clear theoretical explanation has been provided. This research has been conducted in the framework of a qualitative approach using grounded theory research method. Data were collected through semi-structured exploratory interviews. In order to gather information, we interviewed 25 civil engineers using purposeful sampling method from the viewpoint of a skilled person. Data were analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. The content validity of the model was evaluated by both CVR and CVI indices and the reliability of the research findings was obtained through the stability of the process. The results show that 487 codes were extracted from the interviews as well as 42 concepts and 13 categories in the paradigm model including: professional ethics of civil engineers as core and causal, contextual factors (professional competencies), intervening conditions, strategies (human resource planning, organization structure, professional responsibility, professional commitment, disclosure, collaboration with different organizations with engineers), and background factors. The proposed model can be a practical guide for civil engineers. Also, by incorporating this model into the professional ethics course of engineering and teaching it, the adherence of ethical codes among civil engineering students can be increased.

Keywords

Abbaszadeh, A., Abedi, H. A., Ghafrani, F., & Sharif, F. (2002). Design and evaluation of nurses' ethical performance model. Journal of Medicine & Cultivation, 11 (47), 67-59 [in Persian].
 
Abdul-Rahman, H., Wang, C., & Saimon, M. A. (2011). Clients perspectives of  professional ethics for civil engineers. Journal of the Siuth African Institution of Civil Engineering, 53, 2309- 8775.
 
Adams, J. S., Tashchian, A., & Shore, T. H. (2001). Codes of ethics as signals for ethical behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 29(3), 199-211.
 
Abolbashari, M., & Talebanfard, N. (2004). Engineering ethics: The necessities and challenges. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 6(23), 1-14 [in Persian].[ai1] 
 
Bahadori Nejad, M. (2006). Tips in engineering ethics. Journal of Ethics in Science and Technology, (1) 12, 1[in Persian].
 
Bahrami, H., & Mirtahari, L. (2017). Ethics. second edition, Tehran: Adibane Rooz [in Persian].[ai2] 
 
Bazargan, A. (2015). Introduction to qualitative and mixed research methods. Fifth Edition, Tehran: Didar Publications [in Persian].
 
Bartels, D. M. (2008). Principled moral sentiment and the flexibility of moral judgment and decision making. Cognition, 108(2), 381-417.[ai3] 
 
Benjamin,  M.  (1999). Splitting the difference: Compromise and integrity in ethics and politics. Lawrenece. KS: University of Kansas Press.
 
Brands, W. G., Bronkhorst, E. M., & Welie, J. V. (2011). Professional ethics and cynicism amongst Dutch dental students.  European Journal of Dental Education, 15 (4), 9-205.
 
Casey, D. P., Davidson, R. A., & Schwartz, B. N. (2001). The effect of organizational culture and ethical orientation on accountants’ ethical judgments. Journal of Business Ethics, 34(2), 101- 121.
 
Cheung, W. K., & Pan, S. (2006). Transition of moral, education in China: Toward regulated individualism. Hong Kong, Citizeship Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 37-50.
 
Davis, M. (2017). Engineering ethics. Routledge, Edwards SD, Three versions of an ethics of care. Nursing Philosophy, 2009, 10(4), 231-40.
 
Ehrambafian, M., Karamipour, M R., & Tajasob, K.  (2014). Performance of professional ethics and its related factor in high school counselors. Ethics in Science and Technology, 9 (1), 29-47 [in Persian].
 
Evers, A. T., Van der Heijden, B., Karel, K., & Gerrichhauzen, J. (2011). Organizationl  factors and  teachers  professional development  in Dutch secondary schools. Journal  of European Industrial Training, 35(1), 24-44.
 
Faramarz Gharemaleki, A. (2016). Introduction to professional ethics, professional ethics collection 1. Ninth Edition. Tehran: Industrial Management Organization [in Persian].
 
Faramarz Gharemaleki, A. (2017). Corporate ethics, professional ethics collection 2. Third edition. Tehran: Industrial Management Organization [in Persian].[ai4] 
 
Fitzergland, L., & Van Hooft, S. (2007). Asocratic dialogue on the question" What is love in nursing?". Nurs Ethics, 7(6), 91-481.
 
Fleddermann, H. B.  (2004). Charles, engineering ethics. 2nd Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Chapter 3.
 
Glazer, M. P. (1989). The Whistleblowers: Exposing corruption in governmment and Industry. Basic Book Inc.
 
Hafezi, M. H. (2008). Review of code of ethics in engineering Qazvin: Qazvin Municipality [in Persian].
 
Heydari, H. (2002). Aristotle's philosophy of applied ethics. First edition, Tehran: Resalat Publications [in Persian].
 
Hejazi, J. (2010). Engineering ethics is global concerning. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 12(46), 69-82 [in Persian].
 
Herkert, J. R. (2007). Collaborative learning in engineering ethics. Journal Science and Engineering Ethics, Springer Netherlands, 3(4), 447-462.
 
Hess, J. L. & Fore, G. (2018). A systematic literature review of US engineering ethics interventions. Science and Engineering Ethics, 24(2), 551-583.
 
Imanzadeh, A., Pashaiefakhri, A., & Kalantari, H. (2019). Compliance of electrical engineering ethics codes among students of Electrical Faculty of Tabriz University. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 20(80), 31-50 [in Persian].
 
Jodaki, V., & Ajlouleian, R. (2016). Engineering ethics in construction projects. Journal of Ethics in Science and Technology, 11 (3), 29-38 [in Persian].
 
Kruse, S., & Lillie, T.  (2000). Professional community: Facilitating organizational cultures in support of inclusion. Disability Studies Quarterly, 125- 127.
 
Lout, M. C. (2009). Ethics and the development of professional identities of engineering students. department of electrical and computer engineering, and coordinated science laboratory. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
 
Maleki, H. (2016). Professional ethics. First edition, Tehran: Aiej Publishing [in Persian].[ai5] 
 
McKinney, J. A., Emerson, T. L., & Neubert, M. J. (2010). The effects of ethical codes on ethical perceptions of actions toward stakeholders. Journal of Business Ethics, 97(4), 505-516.
 
Mirsepassi, N. (2003). Strategic human resource management and labor relations with an attitude to the process of globalization. Tehran: Mir Publishing.
 
Mohammad Oghli Reyhan, F., & Alizadeh, S. (2018). A survey on the status of engineering ethics in Iranian engineering education: A systematic review. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 19(76), 79-97 [in Persian].
 
Murphy, C., Gardoni, P., Bashir, H., Harris, Jr., C. E., & Masad, E. (2015). Engineering ethics for a globalized world.  Philosophy of Engineering and Technology book series (POET, volume 22).
 
Nikkhah Farrokhani, Z., Rahimnia, F., Kazemi, M., & Shirazi, A. (2014). Presenting a model of nurses' ethical behavior using virtue-based ethics theory. Iranian Journal of Medical Ethics and History, 7 (6), 48-29 [in Persian].
 
Pinkus, R. L., Gloeckner, C., & Fortunato, A.  (2015). The role of professional knowledge in case-based reasoning in practical ethics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 21(3), 767-87.
 
Prasad, D. K., Hegde, C., Jain, A., & Shetty, A. (2011). Philosophy and  principles of ethics: Its applications in dental practice. J. Educ Ethics Dent, 1-26.
 
Qazi, S., Mehrdad, H., & Daraye, M. (2018). Designing a model of professional ethics in physicians. Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Journal, 20 (2), 62-75 [in Persian].
 
Rahmani, M., & Majrouhi, J. (2015). Code of professional ethics of engineering in Iran. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 17(67), 23-55 [in Persian].
 
Schinsinger, R., & Martin, M. (2008). Engineering ethics. Translation: Nader Mohabati. Tehran: Maryam Purzandokili Publications.
 
Shah Ali, M., Rashidpour, A., Kavusi, I., & Etebarian, A. A. (2015). Pattern of implementation of professional ethics in Iranian Organizations. Urban Management, 14 (39), 405-393 [in Persian].
 
Shahid Rezi, M. H. (2013). Nahj al-Balagha. Translation: Mohammad Dashti. Tehran: Weekly Publications [in Persian].[ai6] 
 
Shimizu, K. A. (2008). Case study of engineering ethics, a questionnaire survey for ethics value of students, practical use of the code of ethics and cases for electrical  engineers. Shizuoka University.
 
Sobhani, M. S., Bagheri, E., & Bahrami, M. (2011). Validation of Iranian customs staff performance evaluation system. Organizational Culture Management, 9 (2), 155-169 [in Persian].
 
Strauss, E., & Carbon, J. (2017). Principles of qualitative research, techniques, and processes of underground theory production. Tehran: Ney Publishing.
 
Toosi, M. A. (2009). Management principles. Tehran: Publication of Higher Education Institute of Management Planning [in Persian].
 
Vafaei, A., Kaveh, A., & Sadegh Azar, M. (2006). A literature survey in the field of civil engineering in Iran. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 8(30), 1-39. doi: 10.22047/ijee.2006.510 [in Persian].
 
Vandegrift, T., Dillon, H., & Camp, L.  (2017). Changing the engineering student culture with respect to Academic Integrity and Ethics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 23(4), 1159-1182.
 
Yaghobi, M., & Bahadorinejad, M. (2003). In the human virtues of engineers. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 5(18), 57-68 [in Persian].
 
Yaghobi, M., Bahadorinejad, M., & Aziziyan, K. (2004). Ethics in the engineering profession for engineering students. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 5(20), 9-22. doi: 10.22047/ijee.2004.2120 [in Persian].
 
Zhu, Q., & Jesiek, B.K. (2017). A pragmatic approach to ethical decision-making in engineering practice: Characteristics, evaluation criteria, and implications for instruction and assessment. Science and Engineering Ethics, 23(3), 663-679.
 
Zohoor, H., & Khalaj, M. (2010). Pillars of engineering ethics. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education, 12(46), 83-97. doi: 10.22047/ijee.2010.675 [in Persian].