Consumer ethics: An empirical investigation of factors influencing ethical judgments of the final consumer
Journal of Business Ethics · 1992 · Volume 11 · Issue 8
Abstract
Business and marketing ethics have come to the forefront in recent years. While consumers have been surveyed regarding their perceptions of ethical business and marketing practices, research has been minimal with regard to their ethical beliefs and ideologies. This research investigates general attitudes of consumers relative to business, government and people in general, and compares these attitudes to their beliefs concerning various questionable consumer practices. The results show that consumers' ethical beliefs are determined, in part, by who is at fault in the unethical behavior (the seller or the buyer). The results also indicate that those with a more positive attitude toward business are less likely to engage in questionable consumer practices, but one's attitudes toward salespeople, the government and people in general arenotrelated to the consumer's ethical beliefs.
Keywords
Economic Growth, Marketing, Ethical Business, Positive Attitude, General Attitude
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