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Putting Ethics on the Agenda for Real Estate Agents

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Abstract

This article uses sociological role theory to help understand ethical challenges faced by Norwegian real estate agents. The article begins with an introductory case, and then briefly examines the strengths and limitations of using legal definitions and rules for understanding real estate agency and real estate agent ethics. It goes on to argue that the ethical challenges of real estate agency can be described and understood as a system of conflicting roles with associated rights and duties, in particular sales agent, intermediary and adviser sub-roles. The arguments are developed using exploratory findings from a survey of Norwegian real estate agents and from several focus groups. The article then suggests the use of various intranet tools as a kind of action research aimed at putting ethics on the real estate agents’ agenda, working to develop a collective conscience and collective self- criticism among the agents, and, in doing so, building bridges between academic research and the practical working world of the agents.

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Ethical standards

The survey and focus group research referred to in the article have been carried out and are reported in accordance with the Norwegian research ethical standards. All persons have been informed about the purpose and possible publication of this research. Details which could have disclosed the identity of the subjects under study have been omitted (in accordance with the above mentioned standards).

Conflict of interest

The author has received a grant from a foundation at his/her business school where representative of the industry studied are represented, but there has not been and will not be any interference with the academic freedom/integrity of the author. The author has full control of all primary data and agrees to allow the journal to review the data if requested.

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  1. BI Norwegian School of Management, Nydalsveien 37, 0442, Oslo, Norway

    Johannes Brinkmann

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  1. Johannes Brinkmann
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Correspondence to Johannes Brinkmann.

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Brinkmann, J. Putting Ethics on the Agenda for Real Estate Agents. J Bus Ethics 88, 65–82 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0099-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0099-8

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