The Role of Ethical Frameworks in Project Management: A Systematic Review of Decision-Making and Outcomes

This study examines the ethical dilemmas encountered by project managers and the methods they use to resolve them. Based on a systematic review of 120 research papers from the past 15 years, supplemented by personal observations, the study identifies and evaluates the application of various ethical frameworks in workplace decision-making. Key frameworks analyzed include justice, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. Using a bibliometric approach, the findings reveal that utilitarianism and individual rights are the most frequently used frameworks for ethical problem-solving, whereas individual responsibilities play a minimal role in decision-making. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant impact of ethical frameworks on project outcomes and emphasizes that decision-making approaches vary across organizations. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for enhancing ethical decision-making in project management.