ALDE 112 GROUP C22 - E
ACADEMIC ESSAY
MS. G GROENEN
CORRUPTION IN ENGINEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA
RETIEF C -
46168915
SWANEPOEL R -
46480080
VAN ASWEGEN J -
48274356
ODENDAAL D -
45790728
Table of contents
1.
Introduction
3
2.
Identifying causes of corruption
3
3.
Possible solutions
4
4.
Fallacies in the anti-corruption utopia
5
5.
Conclusion
5
Reference list
6
1. Introduction
Corruption is a well-known problem in our society and according to De Jong et al. (2009:108) this issue is by far the most prevalent in the field of
engineering worldwide. However, in this essay we will only be discussing corruption in the field of engineering in South Africa and why it is not a
sensible idea to fight against it.
2. Identifying the causes of corruption
It is crucial to understand the causes of corruption as that will give us insight into possible answers to what might be effective solutions to the
crisis. As explained by De Jong et al. (2009:xx) developing countries are not prepared for major investments in their infrastructure and engineering
fields as they do not have the proper workforce to adequately manage possible incoming investments. South Africa is still a developing country,
so this gives us insight into the first major problem – improper management. A simple way to view corruption is any action taken in an individual’s
interest instead of the common well-being. Since management has most of the power, if managers are susceptible to corruption, corruption is
almost bound to happen – it is unfortunately a part of the human condition. Another major reason that ties in with the abovementioned reason is
the education level. With the average education level in South Africa being far below standard the average citizen might be oblivious to when
they are being taken advantage of or treated unfairly.
3. Possible solutions
There are 3 main ways to combat corruption (Prasad et al., 2019:48-54). We will only look at 2. Firstly, through a method that is described as the
“principal-agent problem”. This is described as a situation where the agent (the “managers” in the paragraph above) does not act in such a way
that is more beneficial to the “principal” (the public) than to the agent. The solution that is widely used is simple, consisting of a reward-punish
system; where good behaviour is rewarded, and bad behaviour is punished (Prasad et al., 2019:xx). This proves to be a simple-but-effective
short-term solution, as there is always a possibility that the people in charge of monitoring the behaviour can also be corrupt and thus the
punishments/rewards can be ineffective and corrupt in itself.
The second approach mentioned consists of believing that the system itself is completely corrupt and that there are no “principals”, and that
everything and everyone are corrupt as part of their nature. It then further suggests that corruption is rather not a problem, but simply a part of
the system and that we should view it not as a disease to be eradicated but something to be accepted and kept in moderate amounts, as it can
even be an efficient way to become successful and influential. This approach must completely eradicate corruption as previously defined, but this
does not give a solution to the people being negatively affected by corruption and therefore this is not a permanent long-term solution as someone
is still losing unfairly in one way or another.
Corruption is a heavily researched topic as it has been around since the dawn of modern society. We have come very far as a society, and this
only suggests that corruption has not kept us from making progress, it is important to note that there are issues with this, and it cannot be taken
as concrete evidence since it only comes from examples and no two cases of corruption are the same. There are too many variables that are
unaccounted for when looking at the above-mentioned scenarios.
4. Fallacies in the anti-corruption utopia
It may sound easy to implement the above-mentioned points, but that is most definitely not the case. According to Lozeau et al. (2002:550-552)
preventative measures are only taken when organizations are forced to do so, and this is not a spontaneous action. This leads to a ludicrous
amount of regulation required, and this is simply not feasible for a third-world country. Having to spend additional resources to try and prevent
corruption will mean that you need dedicated personnel to monitor every action of every superior. Furthermore, if corruption was possible to
eradicate, why has it not been done anywhere before? We have no record of an utopian civilization ever existing and it can be considered naïve
to try and accomplish one now.
5. Conclusion
Fighting against corruption is not a good idea. A much wiser idea would be to change the way we view corruption. We should view it not as a
devilish sin that needs to be abolished at every opportunity, but rather as a trait of the human condition. This does not insinuate that we should
leave corruption, it should still be punished and avoided, but not at all costs. Corruption is a part of the human condition and should be regarded
as such – nothing more, nothing less.
[806 words]
Reference list
De Jong, M., Henry, P.E. & Stansbury, N. 2009. Eliminating Corruption in Our Engineering/Construction Industry. Leadership and Management
in Engineering, 9(3):105-111.
Lozeau, D., Langley, A. & Denis, J. 2002. The Corruption of Managerial Techniques by Organizations. Human Relations, 55(5):537-564.
Mantzaris, E. & Pillay, P. 2019. Corruption: Consequences for Socio-economic Well-being in South Africa. Alternation, 26(1):40-62.
Prasad, M., Martins da Silva, M.B. & Nickow, A. 2019. Approaches to Corruption: a Synthesis of the Scholarship. Studies in Comparative
International Development, 54(1):96-132.
ALDE112 Group page Formal assessment 5: Academic essay
Lecturer: Gonneke Groenen
Class group: C22
Group number: 13
Surname and initials
Student number
Individual
contribution
Swanepoel R.
46480080
100%
Part done on time. Proofread and edit.
Odendaal D.
45790728
100%
Part done on time. Main researcher.
Retief C.S.
46168915
100%
Part done on time. Compilation of everything.
Van Aswegen J.
48274356
100%
Part done on time. Oversaw general project.
Motivation for contribution mark