Interactive effects of consumers’ ethical beliefs and authenticity on ethical consumption and pro-environmental behaviors

The current study examined the relationships of ethical beliefs (i.e., idealism and relativism) with pro-environmental behaviors (direct and indirect) and ethical consumption behavior. The study further examined the moderating role of consumer authenticity in these relationships. Data were collected from individuals (N = 302) using field surveys within three major metropolitan cities of Pakistan. The findings revealed that idealism had a positive relationship with ethical consumption behavior and pro-environmental direct behavior. However, it was not related to pro-environmental indirect behavior. Relativism was positively related to ethical consumption behavior but it was not related to both types of pro-environmental behaviors. Furthermore, consumer authenticity significantly moderated the relationships of idealism with all ethical outcomes. Finally, implications for organizations, marketers and policy makers are discussed.     

Computers and business — A case of ethical overload

A technological revolution with first order implications is undeniable and underway. That is the permeation of society by computers and telecommunications technology. For western society, committed to a social, economic, and value structure premised upon an industrial society, the move to an information society is more than disruptive; it is transformational. Current changes are so rapidly paced in relation to business planning that it creates major challenges and opportunities to reach out, influence, and guide the change.The telematics revolution will affect every aspect of our society since it will affect every aspect of our world which involves the generation, production, storage, or handling of information. Many ethical issues are touched upon. To sum them up, the new immorality is to choose to act in ignorance of future consequences. Joseph F. Coates, 3738 Kanawha Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 70015. This paper was presented at The Management of Computer Technology: Values and Choices in Corporate and Public Policy, during The Fourth National Conference on Business Ethics, Bentley College, Waltham, Mass., April 3, 1981.     

Student views of “ethical” issues: A situational analysis

This paper reports on selected attitudes of a sample of third-year undergraduate business students in a major urban university. The focus of the research is on respondent perceptions of certain aspects of the employee-employer relationship. Such issues as use of the company car for a personal trip, use of the company copy machine for personal copies, calling in sick when some personal time is needed, eating at the very best restaurant on a business trip and others are explored. Half of the students surveyed were asked to respond as though they were employees of the company. The other half were asked to respond as though they were the President of the company. Both groups seemed to reflect a certain amount of flexibility in their responses to the issues presented. The assumed position of the respondent, the situation, did influence the responses given. Dr. Jones is currently Professor of Management and Political Science at Georgia State University. His previous publications include two books and articles in such journals as International Journal of Management, Industrial Management, Public Administration Review, Public Personnel Management and Management World.     

The use of “shark repellents” to prevent corporate takeovers: An ethical perspective

Certain types of corporate charter antitakeover amendments, or shark repellents, may not serve the interests of the stockholders or the stakeholders of the firm. This paper extends the examination of the use of shark repellents by taking an ethical perspective to synthesize prior research on shark repellents and their relationship to stockholder and stakeholder welfare. Some shark repellents seem to benefit certain interest groups at the expense of other groups.Nancy L. Meade is an assistant professor of Accounting at the University of Louisville.Dan Davidson is a professor of Business Law at Radford University.     

Emotions and dissonance in ‘ethical’ consumption choices

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of emotions and the prevalence of dissonant/incongruent choice behaviour within the context of ethical consumption. Based on 31 in-depth interviews with British consumers, the findings demonstrate that consumers consciously indulge in ‘ethical’ and ‘unethical’ behaviour (as defined by respondents themselves), often within short time frames, and that they often compensate for unethical choices by making ethical choices later on (and vice versa). The study provides evidence that positive and negative emotions are a key driver of this dissonant behaviour. Guilt is the most salient emotion, and a taxonomy of guilt in this context is derived from the data. Consumers are found to employ guilt-management strategies in order to sustain contradictory behaviour and manage cognitive dissonance. A conceptual framework is derived in order to summarise the observed role of emotions in ethical consumer choice. The paper also provides additional explanations of the manifestation of the attitude–behaviour gap.     

Does lower-stage ethical reasoning emerge in more familiar contexts?

Four real-life dilemma cases collected from Hong Kong managers were included, along with two other cases previously used by Weber (1991), in an instrument designed to assess ethical reasoning capacity. This was completed by 86 part-time post-graduate students, all of whom were managers with at least four years working experience. Respondents' measured ethical reasoning capacity appeared to be at least as high as comparable samples in the U.S.A. The mean ethical reasoning stage varied between cases. Contrary to expectations, the unfamiliarityper se of a case did not affect ethical reasoning which instead tended toward higher measured stages when issues of public hazard or environmental pollution were introduced, and toward lower measured stages where personal or family finances were at stake. Two methodological points were made signalling the need for caution in research of this kind. First, because of reservations about the adequacy of the standard Kohlbergian model of ethical reasoning development, a scoring guide based on a revised Kohlbergian model of ethical reasoning was used to analyze the replies, rendering comparisons with other samples inexact. Second, the possible phenomenon of quasi Stage Five reasoning renders problematic the identification of true Stage Five ethical reasoning.Robin Snell directs the M.B.A. at the City University of Hong Kong, where he is University Senior Lecturer. He has editedManagement Learning and has published articles inPersonnel Review on experiential learning, moral dilemmas and management development. His book,Developing Skills for Ethical Management, synthesizes these interests.     

Retail store managers' and students' perceptions of ethical retail practices: A comparative and longitudinal analysis (1976–1986)

Considerable attention is currently being directed to ethics in business, government and academia in both the professional and popular media. Most of these studies propound that ethics have eroded over time, resulting in their current low state. However, few, if any, of these articles provide comparative or longitudinal data to support their arguments. In this investigation, both comparative and longitudinal data were collected between 1976 and 1986 from retail store managers and retail students concerning their current perceptions of ethical retail practices. The results indicate a significant increase in the ethics of retail store managers, and a significant decrease in the ethics of retail students. Donald G. Norris is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Miami University. His research has been published in the Journal of Advertising Research, the Journal of Retailing and the Proceedings of the Association of Consumer Research and the American Marketing Association.John B. Gifford is a Professor of Marketing at Miami University and the Associate Dean for the School of Business Administration. He has published a number of articles in the field of retailing, and currently serves as Vice President of the American Collegiate Retailing Association.     

Lost in translation: Exploring the ethical consumer intention–behavior gap

Ethical consumerism is a burgeoning movement, yet ethically-minded consumers rarely purchase ethically. Understanding obstacles to ethical consumption is limited. This study explores the underlying mechanics of the ethical purchase intention–behavior gap in the context of consumers' daily lives. The study employs multiple qualitative methods across multiple sites, explores the intention–behavior gap in observed modes of shopping behavior, and uses an interpretive approach. The analysis reveals four interrelated factors affecting the ethical intention–behavior gap: (1) prioritization of ethical concerns; (2) formation of plans/habits; (3) willingness to commit and sacrifice; and (4) modes of shopping behavior. Awareness of these four factors provides both strategic and tactical implications for marketing managers seeking to reach the elusive ethical consumer. Understanding and enhancing ethical consumption – closing the gap – has positive outcomes for the future sustainability of economies, societies and environments.     

Me,my family or the public good? Do inter‐role conflicts of consumer–citizens reduce their ethical consumption behaviour?

This article examines role stress, especially inter‐role conflicts (IRC), against the background of the consumer–citizen duality. It tests whether consumer–citizen conflicts impair the purchase of ethical food in terms of the ethical intention–behaviour gap. Furthermore, this study examines the potential of eustress arising from citizen–consumer conflicts to enhance actual ethical purchases. Additionally, determinants and moderating conditions of both IRC are tested. A combination of observations of actual purchase behaviour and survey data in a field setting is used to gain insights into role conflict formation and manifestation, arising from the desire to fulfil the demands of two opposing roles: consumer and citizen. The quantitative data are analysed with structural equation modelling to test the hypothesized coherencies simultaneously. Results indicate that stress arises similarly from both IRC. While a positive impact of eustress on purchase behaviour was absent, consumer–citizen role conflicts impede the actual purchase of ethical groceries. The data show that this role conflict derives, for example, from economic demands sent by the consumer role set when a person has ethical buying intentions. Additionally, the identification with the consumer role further amplifies this conflict. The data indicate that consumers instead of citizens should be empowered by marketing practitioners and policy makers, for example by reducing the perception of stress by communicating positive outcomes referring to relevant consumer role set members (e.g., added value for children from purchasing ethically) to stimulate problem–focused coping.     

Are two reasons better than one? How natural and ethical appeals influence consumer preferences for clean meat

Clean meat shows great potential as an alternative to conventional meat and may help to mitigate sustainability problems stemming from the meat industry. However, this novel method of producing meat is currently being met by consumer hesitancy due to perceptions of unnaturalness and feelings of disgust. While prior research has shown that appeal positioning based on naturalness and ethicality, for example, may enhance the acceptance of clean meat, these findings are limited because prior research has only examined different appeals in isolation, and no research has explored the psychological mechanism underlying the effect of these appeals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine how a joint appeal based on both natural and ethical aspects of clean meat is more effective in enhancing consumer preference. Specifically, two experiments were conducted among participants from the US (n = 302) and the UK (n = 303) to examine whether a joint appeal is more effective than a single appeal focusing on either naturalness or ethicality, and no appeal. Extending the current literature, our findings show that the joint appeal increases the effectiveness of the communication, with participants in this condition showing a significantly higher preference toward the product when compared to those in the single-appeal or no-appeal conditions. The results also demonstrate that disgust and compassion underlie the effect of the joint appeal on consumer preference. Taken together, the current research provides insights to enhance the effectiveness of marketing interventions in promoting consumer preference for and acceptance of clean meat.     

On Limitation of Action against Acts of Continuous Infringement of Trademark Right

The right to claim for damages for infringement is of the character of credit and an object of limitation of action. In case of trademark right infringement, the provision on limitation of action of the General Principles of the Civil Law also apply to the trademark proprietor‘s right to claim for damages for infringement. However,Article 18 of the Interpretation of Several Issues relating to Application of Law to Trial of Cases of Disputes over .     

Board of Investment,Stage of Cooperation

Mr.Lim Sit Chen,the Chairman of Board of Investment (BOI)in Mauritius,as a distinguished guest came to China ac- companying the Prime Minister of Mauritius,H.E. Dr.Navin- chandra Ramgoolam's visiting in this July.On the China- Mauritius Investment Promotion Seminar,excellent speech he delivered,charm of manner he was and great efforts to pro- mote the economic,trade and finance relations between China and Mauritius he had made,swept the audience off their feet. Besides Chairman of BOI,Mr.Lim owns many other titles under his name,such as Managing Director of Stewardship Consulting Pte Ltd in Singapore and President of Spirit of En- terprise in Mauritius. What's more, he has an international working experience and education background in Mauritius, Singapore and America. Recently,China's Foreign Trade had a written interview with Mr.Lim Sit Chen when he was on a business trip in Singa- pore.The following are the views he shared with us. By Editor     

Measures of the Customs of the People＇s Republic of China for the Administration of Centralized Declaration of Import and Export Goods

In addition, new measures of centralized declaration of import and export goods in China＇s Customs will be taken from this May. Therefore, China＇s Foreign Trade offers you the latest information.     

Measures of the General Administration of Customs of the People＇s Republic of China for Implementing the Regulations of the People＇s Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

The Measures of the General Administration of Customs of the People＇s Republic of China for Implementing the Regulations of the People＇s Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights discussed and passed at the executive meeting of the General Administration of Customs（GAC） on Feb.17,2009 is hereby promulgated,which take effects on July 1,2009.The Measures of the General Administration of Customs of the People＇s Republic of China for Implementing the Regulations of the People＇s Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights promulgated by No.114 Decree of the GAC on May 25,2004 shall be repealed simultaneously.     

Notice of Inviting Contributions of China''''s Foreign Trade

Thank you for supporting China's Foreign Trade. We treas-ure your suggestions conceming various aspects of work, es-pecially from the people who are living or once lived in China.We will open more columns, such as: to the editor, tradingbridge, in my opinion, biz express, data of trade, etc. Compa-nies around the worid are welcomed to advertise in the jour-nal.Suggestions are welcomed to mail to the editor's E-mailbox: cft@public.gb.com.cn. The time has come to sub-scribe or renew your subs…     

New Features of Beijing's Use of Foreign Investment

The Beijing Foreign Economic and Trade Commission has announced that,in 1997, Beijing's use of foreign investment has had the following new features:     

Establishment of Foreign Business Service Center of CAFST

China Association of Foreign Service Trades (CAFST) seriously implement reforms and innovations in 2004.     

Member List of Council of China's Foreign Trade

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Member List of Council of China's Foreign Trade

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