Investigating Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Project Managers and the Implementation of Ethical Standards and Codes of Conduct in Project Management Practice

Abstract

Ethical decision-making is a critical competency for project managers, who often face challenging situations with potential conflicts between project goals and ethical principles. This pilot study explores the frequency of ethical dilemmas encountered by project managers and the perceived impact of ethical standards and codes of conduct.  A quantitative survey was distributed to project managers, gathering data on the frequency of various ethical dilemmas and their perspectives on the influence of ethical frameworks.  Thematic analysis will be conducted on interview and VR simulation data (not presented here) to gain deeper insights into project managers' experiences with ethical decision-making.  This study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the ethical landscape faced by project managers and identify potential areas where ethical decision-making support can be enhanced.