Share:


The impact of job satisfaction on valuers’ attitudes towards professional ethics

    Agnieszka Małkowska   Affiliation
    ; Mateusz Tomal   Affiliation
    ; Małgorzata Uhruska   Affiliation
    ; Justyna Pawlak   Affiliation
    ; Gunther Maier   Affiliation
    ; Alina Nichiforeanu   Affiliation

Abstract

Professional ethics is one of the two pillars of the valuer’s business practice, alongside expert knowledge. Ethical principles are usually formulated within a code of professional ethics which valuers are obliged to follow. The approach to professional ethics is a complex problem and it is conditioned by several factors. In our study, we pose the question whether higher professional satisfaction of real estate valuers translates into more ethical attitudes regarding work-related dilemmas. We conducted research on property valuation services in two European markets: Austria and Poland. Data for the analysis was drawn from 176 surveys in which valuers were asked to respond to hypothetical work situations corresponding to the principles of the real estate valuer’s code. The results obtained using the ordinary least squares (OLS) and two-stage last squares (2SLS) regression methods allow us to conclude that higher job satisfaction positively impacts valuers’ ethical attitudes. The segment of the market served is also an important driver. Valuers who mainly work for property developers show a significantly lower level of ethical attitudes. The influence of the country on professional ethics is ambiguous.

Keyword : real estate valuer, job satisfaction, professional ethics, professional code of conduct, principal–agency problem

How to Cite
Małkowska, A., Tomal, M., Uhruska, M., Pawlak, J., Maier, G., & Nichiforeanu, A. (2021). The impact of job satisfaction on valuers’ attitudes towards professional ethics. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 25(6), 497–513. https://doi.org/10.3846/ijspm.2021.15768
Published in Issue
Nov 4, 2021
Abstract Views
1388
PDF Downloads
1011
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Abidoye, R. B., Huang, W., Amidu, A. R., & Javad, A. A. (2021). An updated survey of factors influencing property valuation accuracy in Australia. Property Management, 39(3), 343–361. https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-02-2020-0014

Acelya, T., & Cemal, Z. (2016). Examining the effect of cultural differences measuring with cultural intelligence scale (CQS) on employees’ job satisfaction in multi-cultural companies. Research Journal of Business and Management, 3(4), 267–276.

Achu, K. (2013). Client influence on property valuation: a literature review. International Journal of Real Estate Studies, 8(2), 24–47.

Agboola, A. O., Ojo, O., & Amidu, A. R. (2010). The ethics of real estate agents in emerging economies: a cross‐sectional survey of agents and service consumers’ perception in Nigeria. Property Management, 28(5), 339–357. https://doi.org/10.1108/02637471011086536

Agboola, A. O., Ojo, O., & Amidu, A. R. (2012). Investigating influences on real estate agents’ ethical values: the case of real estate agents in Nigeria. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 16(3), 298–315. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2012.681714

Ahmed, B., Shad, I., Mumtaz, R., & Tanveer, Z. (2012). Organizational ethics and job satisfaction: evidence from Pakistan. African Journal of Business Management, 6(8), 2966–2973. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM11.2107

Allmon, D. E., & Grant, J. (1990). Real estate sales agents and the code of ethics: a voice stress analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 9(10), 807–812. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383279

Al-Zoubi, M. T. (2012). Generating benchmarking indicators for employee job satisfaction. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 23(1), 27–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2011.637780

Amidu, A. R., & Aluko, B. T. (2007). Client influence on valuation: perceptual analysis of the driving factors. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 11, 77–89. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2007.9637562

Andrade, M. S., & Westover, J. H. (2019). Global comparisons of job satisfaction across occupational categories. Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, 8(1), 38–59. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBHRM-09-2019-0086

Bowling, N. A., & Hammond, G. D. (2008). A meta-analytic examination of the construct validity of the Michigan organizational assessment questionnaire job satisfaction subscale. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73(1), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2008.01.004

Brief, A. P., Sell, M. V., & Aldag, R. J. (1978). Job scope-employee reaction relationships: methodological considerations. Journal of Management, 4(2), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920637800400203

Burrage, M. (1988). Revolution and the collective action of the French, American and English legal professions. Law & Social Inquiry, 13(2), 225–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-4469.1988.tb00050.x

Cammann, C., Fichman, M., Jenkins, D., & Klesh, J. (1979). The Michigan organizational assessment questionnaire (pp. 71–138) [Unpublished manuscript]. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

de Graaf, F. J. (2019). Ethics and behavioural theory: how do professionals assess their mental models? Journal of Business Ethics, 157, 933–947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3955-6

Deshpande, S. P. (1996). The impact of ethical climate types on facets of job satisfaction: an empirical investigation. Journal of Business Ethics, 15, 655–600. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411800

DeTienne, K. B., Ellertson, C. F., Ingerson, M. C., & Dudley, W. R. (2021). Moral development in business ethics: an examination and critique. Journal of Business Ethics, 170, 429–448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04351-0

Dudek, M. (2020). Rzeczoznawcy majątkowi w Polsce – Raport przestrzenny 2020 r. [Property aluers in Polans – Spatial report]. https://iccs.pl/blog/2020/06/24/rzeczoznawcy-majatkowi-w-polsce-raport-przestrzenny-2020-r/

Elçi, M., & Alpkan, L. (2009). The impact of perceived organizational ethical climate on work satisfaction. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 297–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9709-0

EUR-Lex. (2021). Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32005L0036&rid=1

Fallahnejad, Z., Hassanzadeh, R., & Lolaty, H. A. (2016). Evaluation of the relationship between compliance with professional ethics and job satisfaction among nurses. Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences, 3(1), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.jnms.3.1.35

Feilmayr, W. (2009). Grundstücksmärkte und immobilienbewertung, fachbereich stadt- und regionalforschung. Technische Universität Wien.

Ferrell, O. C., Harrison, D. E., Ferrell, L., & Hair, J. F. (2019). Business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and brand attitudes: an exploratory study. Journal of Business Research, 95, 491–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.07.039

Fobel, P. (2019). Organizational ethics as a theoretical and practical initiative. Organization and Management Series, 141, 77–84. https://doi.org/10.29119/1641-3466.2019.141.6

Gallimore, P., & Wolverton, M. (2000). The objective in valuation: a study of the influence of client feedback. Journal of Property Research, 17, 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/095999100368010

Ghazzawi, I. (2008). Antecedents and consequences of job satisfaction: a new conceptual framework. The Business Review Journal, 11(2), 1–10.

Grojean, M. W., Resick, C. J., Dickson, M. W., & Smith, D. B. (2004). Leaders, values, and organizational climate: examining leadership strategies for establishing an organizational climate regarding ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 55, 223–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-004-1275-5

Gu, M., Tan, J. H. L., Amin, M., Mostafiz, M. I., & Yeoh, K. K. (2021). Revisiting the moderating role of culture between job characteristics and job satisfaction: a multilevel analysis of 33 countries. Employee Relations.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-03-2020-0099

Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the job diagnostic survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076546

Hoyt, R., Wright, M., & Croft, C. (2003). The ethical beliefs and attitudes of registered valuers in New Zealand. Pacific Rim Property Research Journal, 9(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/14445921.2003.11104135

Hunt, S. D., Wood V. R., & Chonko L. B. (1989). Corporate ethical values and organizational commitment in marketing. Journal of Marketing, 53(7), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224298905300309

Hurley, N. (1996). Ethics and ethical behavior in the property valuation profession. The Appraisal Journal, LXIV, 125–128.

Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych. (2021). Ustawa z dnia 21 sierpnia 1997 r. (Real Estate Management Act of August 21, 1997, Journal of Laws No. 115, item 741, with later amendments). https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU19971150741/U/D19970741Lj.pdf

Joseph, J., & Deshpande, S. P. (1997). The impact of ethical climate on job satisfaction of nurses. Health Care Management Review, 22, 76–81.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004010-199701000-00010

Kalleberg, A. (1977). Work values and job rewards: a theory of job satisfaction. American Sociological Review, 42(1), 124–143. https://doi.org/10.2307/2117735

Koh, H. C., & Boo, E. H. Y. (2001). The link between organizational ethics and job satisfaction: a study of managers in Singapore. Journal of Business Ethics, 29(4), 309–324. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010741519818

Kowal, J., & Roztocki, N. (2013, August 15–17). Organizational ethics and job satisfaction of information technology professionals in Poland. In Proceedings of the Nineteenth Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 2013) (pp. 1–110), Chicago, Illinois, USA. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2312194

Kristensen, N., & Johansson, E. (2008). New evidence on cross-country differences in job satisfaction using anchoring vignettes. Labour Economics, 15(1), 96–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2006.11.001

Kucharska-Stasiak, E., Źróbek, S., & Cellmer, R. (2018). Forms and effectiveness of the client’s influence on the market value of property - case study. Real Estate Management and Valuation, 26, 82–92. https://doi.org/10.2478/remav-2018-0027

Larsen, J., Coleman, J., & Petrick, J. (2007). The ethics of real estate agents: a comparison of realtor and public perceptions. Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, 10(1), 41–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/10835547.2007.12091625

Levy, D., & Schuck, E. (2005). The influence of clients on valuations: the clients’ perspective. Journal of Property Investment & Finance, 23(2), 182–201. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635780510584364

Lewicka-Strzałecka, A. (1999). Etyczne standardy firm i pracowników. PAN.

Li, L., Varua, M. E., Komarek, A. M., Shankar, S., & Bellotti, W. D. (2017). The interplay of production commercialisation and specialization: an empirical study on Chinese smallholders. China Agricultural Economic Review, 9(4), 504–521. https://doi.org/10.1108/CAER-08-2016-0122

Lind, E. A. (2001). Fairness heuristic theory: justice judgments as pivotal cognitions in organizational relations. In J. Greenberg & R. Cropanzano (Eds.), Advances in organization justice (pp. 56–88). Stanford University Press.

Lind, E. A., Kulik C. T., Ambrose, M., & de Vera Park, M. V. (1993). Individual and corporate dispute resolution: using procedural fairness as a decision heuristic. Administrative Science Quarterly, 38, 224–248. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393412

Małkowska, A., Uhruska, M., & Tomal, M. (2019). Age and experience versus susceptibility to client pressure among property valuation professionals—implications for rethinking institutional framework. Sustainability, 11(23), 6759. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236759

Maslow, A. (1987). Motivation and personality. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc.

McGettrick, B., & Su, F. (Eds.). (2012). Professional ethics: education for a humane society (Liverpool Hope University Studies in Ethics Series, Vol. 7). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Motyka, M., & Pawlak, J. (2012). Podmiotowość człowieka w organizacji. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Krakowie.

Nichiforeanu, A. (2020). Interests and behaviours of real estate market actors in commercial property valuation. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003038801

Nichiforeanu, A., & Maier, G. (2018). Real estate investors and service providers in Central and Eastern Europe: a qualitative analysis of principals and agents [Conference presentation]. 25th Annual European Real Estate Society Conference, European Real Estate Society, UK.

Österreichisches Norminstitut. (2002). Liegenschaftsbewertung Grundlagen (Austrian valuation norm, ÖNORM B 1802). Wien.

Ozturk, A. B., Hancer, M., & Im, J. Y. (2014). Job characteristics, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment for hotel workers in Turkey. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, 23(3), 294–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2013.796866

Paterson, I., Fink, M., Ogus, A., Merz, J., Fink, F., & Berrer, H. (2007). Economic impact of regulation in the field of liberal professions in different Member States (Working Paper No. 52). European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes. https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/economic-impact-regulation-field-liberal-professions-different-member-states/

Posner, B. Z., & Schmidt, W. (1993). Value congruence and differences between the interplay of personal and organizational value systems. Journal of Business Ethics, 12, 341–347.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00882023

Potocan, V., Mulej, M., & Nedelko, Z. (2013). The influence of employees’ ethical behavior on enterprises’ social responsibility. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 26, 497–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-013-9299-3

Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes. (2021). Bundesgesetz über die gerichtliche Bewertung von Liegenschaften (Liegenschaftsbewertungsgesetz – LBG) StF: BGBl. Nr. 150/1992 (Austrian Valuation Law of 1992, NR: GP XVIII RV 333 AB 389 S. 59. BR: AB 4219 S. 550.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10003036

Rogošić, A., & Bakotić, D. (2019). Job satisfaction of accountants and their professional ethics. Ekonomski Vjesnik, 32(1), 165–177.

Schwepker, C. H. (2001). Ethical climate’s relationship to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention in the salesforce. Journal of Business Research, 54(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(00)00125-9

Seashore, S. E., & Taber, T. D. (1975). Job satisfaction indicators and their correlates. American Behavioral Scientist, 18(3), 333–368. https://doi.org/10.1177/000276427501800303

Sims, R. L., & Kroeck, K. G. (1994). The influence of ethical fit on employee satisfaction, commitment and turnover. Journal of Business Ethics, 13, 939–948. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881663

Smith, P. C. (1969). The measurement of satisfaction in work and retirement: a strategy for the study of attitudes. Rand McNally.

Snower, D., & Bosworth, S. (2018). Organisational ethics, narratives and social dysfunctions. In Social macroeconomics (Working Paper Series No. SM-WP-2018). https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2019-07/SM-WP-2018-10%20Organisational%20ethics%2C%20narratives%20and%20social%20dysfuncions.pdf

Solberg, I. B., Tómasson, K., Aasland, O., & Tyssen, R. (2014). Cross-national comparison of job satisfaction in doctors during economic recession. Occupational Medicine, 64, 595–600. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqu114

Spector, P. E. (1997). Job satisfaction: application, assessment, causes, and consequences. Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452231549

Stabentheiner, J. (2005). Liegenschaftsbewertungsgesetz – LBG: und bewertungsbezogene Regelungen in AussStrG und EO mit erläuternden Anmerkungen und Rechtsprechung (Vol. 2, erweiterte auflage). Manz Verlag.

Törnroos, M., Jokela, M., & Hakulinen, C. (2019). The relationship between personality and job satisfaction across occupations. Personality and Individual Differences, 145, 82–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.03.027

Valentine, S., & Fleischman, G. (2007). Ethics programs, perceived corporate social responsibility and job satisfaction. Journal of Business Ethics, 77(2), 159–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9306-z

Vee, C., & Skitmore, M. (2003). Professional ethics in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 10(2), 117–127. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980310466596

Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. J. (1996). Thinking ethically. Issues in Ethics, 2–5.

Viswesvaran, C., & Deshpande, S. P. (1996). Ethics, success, and job satisfaction: a test of dissonance theory in India. Journal of Business Ethics, 15(10), 1065–1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412047

Viswesvaran, C., Deshpande, S. P., & Joseph, J. (1998). Job satisfaction as a function of top management support for ethical behavior: a study of Indian managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(4), 365–371. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017956516324

Vitell, S. J., & Davis, D. L. (1990). The relationship between ethics and job satisfaction: an empirical investigation. Journal of Business Ethics, 9, 489–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382842

Weeks, W. A., & Nantel, J. (1992). Corporate codes of ethics and sales force behavior: a case study. Journal of Business Ethics, 11, 753–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00872307

Whitehead, M. (1998). Employee happiness levels impact on the bottom line. People Management, 4, 14.

Worzala, E. M., Lenk, M. M., & Kinnard, W. N. (1998). How client pressure affects the appraisal of residential property. Appraisal Journal, 66, 416–427.

Zbiegień-Maciąg, L. (2005). Pracownik upodmiotowiony – partner społecznie odpowiedzialny [Empowered employee – a socially responsible partner]. In Pocztowski A. (Ed.), Praca i zarządzanie kapitałem ludzkim w perspektywie europejskiej [Work and human capital management in a European perspective]. Oficyna Ekonomiczna, Kraków.