"There is certainly unease about professional ethics, not only by the professionals themselves, but by the general public, who are the clients or consumers of professional servicesy" (McDowell 200 p:1). Recent years have seen a rise in the amount of literature highlighting the ethical dimensions of professional behaviour, from medical practice to accountancy and, more recently, to the world of corporate governance. In part this can be traced to the rise in corporate social responsibility and the heightened awareness of the human rights movement. In this way ethics is viewed as part of the morality dilemma and a question related to concepts of normative behaviours (Kultgen, 1988). In part, however, especially in relation to professional ethics, the cause is less abstract and more related to specific concern. High among the specific concerns are consumer criticism of professionals and a loss of confidence in the ability of professions to regulate themselves. Nowhere has this been more clearly demonstrated than in the number and range of recent high profile cases affecting the accountancy profession (eg. Enron and Worldcom). All these factors demonstrate the failure of processionals to fulfil even basic standards of trust. For the RICS, restructuring into a global profession in 2000 following the "Agenda for Change" (Lay 1998) has resulted in the imposition of a revised code of conduct, incorporating nine "core values" for all its members. This policy has established the urgent need for an investigation into the nature, content and application of a clear and unequivocal statement of the principles and rules which should govern the behaviour of all Chartered Surveyors, regardless of where they qualify or where they practice. However, these "core values", with which all RICS members are expected to conduct themselves "at all times" may be interpreted in different ways in different countries of the world, depending on the cultural context, as each will have its own values and norms. It is vital for the RICS, its membership and client base to understand how such "core values" can be achieved within different cultural environments. It cannot be disputed that principles and codes of conduct are important, both for professionals, for their clients and for the general public at large, but there is plenty of evidence of the wealth and richness of cultural variety within the social lives and working practices across the world, to demonstrate the need to look beyond the words of a code of conduct and to seek the interpretation which surveyors from different countries will place upon these words. The aim of such an investigation is not to seek conformity of interpretation, on the contrary, the aim is to develop an understanding of what the terms signify to others and thereby improve communication, working relationships and strengthen the global profession of surveyors.

This item is no longer available.