Enhancing Ethical Orientation through Organizational Rationality: The Case of NAADS Projects in Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between Organizational Rationality and Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation on Poverty Eradication Projects in Uganda. A quantitative research design was adopted. Data was collected from 268 project officials and project beneficiaries attached to selected National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) projects in Uganda. Primary data was captured through administering a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statics, correlation and regression analysis. Results revealed a positive relationship between organizational rationality and project managers’ ethical orientation. Also, each of the four dimensions of organizational rationality, thus, Efficiency, Predictability, Control and Calculability are positively related to Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation.  These findings in part indicate that, within the project organization, if task related inefficiencies are reduced to a minimum and tasks are handled harmoniously towards the project objectives, project managers will accordingly act in accordance with policy regulations and directives with fairness, and they shall always comply with the law and professional standards over and above other considerations which is an indicator of good ethical orientation. Thus, it is advanced that where standards, rules, regulations and control are an essential part of the daily life of the base organization, this leads to improved Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation.

Keywords: Organizational Rationality, Project Managers, strategy, Ethical Orientation, Poverty Eradication.