The Blind Spot, a study of ethical dilemmas, senior leaders and grand challenges
How will the ethics of a project professional affect their ability to address the Grand Challenges our planet and society faces? This is the focus of a new APM study, titled ‘The Blind Spot’. The study is led by Dr Efrosyni Konstantinou, Associate Professor in Strategic Management of Projects, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL.
Contents |
[edit] What is a Grand Challenge?
Grand Challenges are defined within the research as global problems that cannot be solved by one individual, organisation or nation alone, and are used interchangeably with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). They include, but are not limited to:
- Climate change
- Food and water shortages
- Social injustices (e.g., restricted access to education, voting, fair labour conditions, Human rights and political participation)
- Global health and international aid development investments
- Cyberspace security
- Human space exploration
- Blockchain
[edit] Grand Challenges Collaborations (GCCs)
As such, extensive, international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sector collaborations are key in addressing Grand Challenges. Grand Challenges Collaborations (GCCs) include teams of senior leaders and experts such as law professionals, academics, engineers, doctors, technologists, activists, technocrats, politicians, government officials and management consultants.
[edit] What did the study find?
In answering the question on whether the project profession is ready to address Grand Challenges, the research findings suggest:
- Yes, because 100% (62 interviewees) of GCC trailblazers are fundamentally preoccupied with ethics on a day-to-day basis. GCC trailblazers being senior leaders and experts whose power and influence are formidably channelled in strategically managing GCCs and related interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral, international work.)
- And, no, because ethics is the ‘blind spot’ of GCCs. There is no institutional – professional, educational or other – infrastructure that adequately prepares GCC trailblazers to understand and work with ethics in interdisciplinary, international, cross-sectoral collaborations designed to address Grand Challenges.
The study uses the analogy of the blind spot, in that the personal codes of ethics of GCC trailblazers are concealed. They remain in the blind spot of high-stakes GCCs and remain here until they are challenged and become the force that (re-)define the boundaries of the project - the who, when, why, how, and what will and will not be happen in the project. One survey participant captured the prominence of ethics by saying: “If it’s between the collaboration and the ethics, we will choose the ethics.”
[edit] Key findings
When personal codes of ethics are violated, GCC trailblazers resolve ethical disputes or dilemmas in one’s ethics shelter or ethical ‘comfort zone’ where the GCC trailblazer debates alternative courses of action, decides what they are prepared to do and not do in the GCC, and makes key, strategic GCC decisions for the collaboration– all based on their personal code of ethics. GCC trailblazers almost exclusively rely on their personal codes of ethics to resolve ethical disputes or dilemmas.
There is an urgent need for the project profession (but also for academics, funders, investors, policymakers and others who are involved in GCCs) to acknowledge, to build awareness and act so that (personal codes of) ethics appear visible to
- GCC trailblazers as well as providing a series of recommendations and implications for each. This is important so that GCC trailblazers who address Grand Challenges can be prepared and supported in working with ethics.
- The project profession can play a leading role in legitimising and advocating for a set of approaches to addressing Grand Challenges, and accordingly, develop its contribution and own legitimacy in the global community.
Daniel Nicholls, Research Manager at APM says, “The research uncovers some enlightening aspects on ethics and professionalism which we can all draw on. It also plays an important part in APM’s ongoing commitment to further professionalism across the project profession, following other recent APM studies including Fairness and Unfairness in Projects research, and the introduction our Chartered Project Professional Standard for those working in projects.”
Find out more about APM’s research fund
This article appears on the APM news and blog site as"The Blind Spot - A study on the ethical dilemmas that senior leaders and experts face in collaborations to address Grand Challenges" dated January 25 2023.
--Association for Project Management
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- APM articles.
- A change to adoptive architecture.
- Adapting your technology to the new working normal.
- Blockchain technology in the construction industry.
- Climate change science.
- Climate feedback.
- Cyber resilience.
- Cyber security and engineering.
- Cyber threats to building automation and control systems.
- Earth overshoot day.
- Environmental legislation.
- Feedback loops.
- Global warming and the tipping point precipice.
- Sustainable development.
- Sustainability.
- Tipping elements.
- Tipping point.
Featured articles and news
Preparing for the future: how specifiers can lead the way
Effective specificationand the Future Homes Standard.
Heritage, industry and slavery
Interpretation must tell the story accurately.
PM announces Building safety and fire move to MHCLG
Following recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry report.
Conserving the ruins of a great Elizabethan country house.
BSRIA European air conditioning market update 2024
Highs, lows and discrepancy rates in the annual demand.
50 years celebrating the ECA Apprenticeship Awards
As SMEs say the 10 years of the Apprenticeship Levy has failed them.
Nominations sought for CIOB awards
Celebrating construction excellence in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
EPC consultation in context: NCM, SAP, SBEM and HEM
One week to respond to the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework.
CIAT Celebrates 60 years of Architectural Technology
Find out more #CIAT60 social media takeover.
The BPF urges Chancellor for additional BSR resources
To remove barriers and bottlenecks which delay projects.
Flexibility over requirements to boost apprentice numbers
English, maths and minimumun duration requirements reduced for a 10,000 gain.
A long term view on European heating markets
BSRIA HVAC 2032 Study.
Humidity resilience strategies for home design
Frequency of extreme humidity events is increasing.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
Skills for life : 10-16 February
Update on the future of Grenfell Tower
Deputy Prime Minister decides for it be carefully taken down to the ground.
Ending decades of frustration, misinformation and distrust.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.