Abstract This nine-page business ethics paper discusses ethics in advertising, examines the issues involved, and includes a summary of the facts. The author analyzes a list of the potential solutions, provides a pro and con evaluation summary for each potential solution, and selects the best solution. He then provides analysis and justification for his reasoning, while stating ethical and philosophies and identifying obstacles likely to be encountered in implementing the solution.
Tags: BUSINESS / MARKETING AND ADVERTISING, ethics false advertisement
Abstract This paper explores the issue of ethics in business advertising. Specifically, this paper looks at the problem that unethical or manipulative advertising can present to vulnerable consumers. The writer discusses that on one hand, many people feel that advertisers should not be afraid to aggressively market products so long as they do not out-and-out dissemble. The writer shows that on the other hand, there are those that feel that corporations need to carefully weigh beforehand the possible social effects of a particular marketing campaign.
From the Paper "The matter of whether or not certain kinds of advertising are morally wrong is an interesting issue - and a vitally important one. As our society becomes increasingly inundated with ever more sophisticated advertising, it behooves people to examine the kinds of advertising pervading our society; it also prompts the asking of many questions. To begin with, are some types of advertising morally wrong? If so, what ethical principles do they violate? These are critical questions and they demand answers."
Abstract This paper investigates the ethical considerations considered to be the most important to consumers when advertising in countries where the market has mixed religious and secular moral traditions. Specifically, the study investigates what advice should be provided to client companies regarding marketing ethical sensitivities for Chinese customers. It compares the differences, if any, between Chinese and European markets in respect to the offensiveness of the execution of the promotional material. It then links this to religious affiliation, temporality orientation and polychronicity. A summary of the research, conclusions, and recommendations for business leaders in China and Europe are provided in the conclusion.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Research Methodology
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Key Words
Review of the Related Literature
Data Analysis
Summary and Recommendations
From the Paper "4. As noted above, because Germany represents the largest trading partner with China of the current EU members, Chinese business leaders should concentrate on training their marketers in German customs and business practices - and the language itself wherever possible - and their German counterparts should likewise do the same for China according to the similar and dissimilar cross-cultural factors identified by Hofstede and their own empirical observations. Given the complexities of the Chinese language, and the polyglot of languages spoken throughout the European continent, and the enormity of the Chinese geographic area and its vast range of unique differences, though, it is reasonable to assume that a lingua franca of English and perhaps French in such marketing initiatives will continue to prevail for negotiating purposes, and there will be an increasing reliance on local national Chinese interpreters to help EU marketers better present their advertising materials in a fashion that is inoffensive to Chinese students' aesthetic and cultural sensibilities."
Abstract Ethics of advertising intends to ensure that advertisers and consumers co-exist without being harmed by the messages of advertisements. Ethicaladvertising provides as much truth as possible without undermining the autonomy of consumers to reflect critically upon their desires and interests. Unethical advertising, by contrast, deceives consumers by concealing significant facts about a product or service being advertised. Legal framework ensures that advertisers do not deceive consumers by conveying deceptive messages. Legal actions against unethical messages, however, are corrective rather than punitive.
Abstract This paper looks at that question of whether advertising directed at children is ethical. It points out that the amount of advertising targeting children continues to grow. Children view an estimated 360,0000 advertisements on television before graduating from high school. The paper also claims that, not until the early 1970s, was advertising directed at children seen as a problem in the United States. The paper argues that, although studies show that children under the age of seven cannot distinguish the difference between an advertisement and fact, there is little if any regulation of advertising directed at children within the United States. The paper compares the US to other countries, which have adopted the philosophy that advertising directed at children is immoral and have stepped in with varying levels of regulation. The paper concludes that, regarding television, it is unlikely there will be any restrictions placed on advertisers; however, with the proliferation of sites such as MySpace, YouTube, blogging, and other future technological advances to the Internet, there may eventually be a public outcry for more stringent regulations.
Outline:
Introduction
History of Advertising & Advertising to Children
Advertising and Its Impact on Children
Why So Much Emphasis on Advertising to Children?
Notable Examples of Advertising to Children
The Regulation of Advertising Regulations in Other Countries
How Likely Change Is in the Future & Conclusion
From the Paper "In the US, there are currently few policies or standards for food advertising and marketing aimed at children. The advertising industry maintains self-regulatory policies established by the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the National Council of Better Business Bureaus. CARU's guidelines apply to all forms of children's advertising, but it has no legal authority over advertisers and can only seek voluntary compliance. CARU has a group of about 20 advisors and 35 supporters, many of whom are from the food industry, such as Burger King, Frito-Lay, McDonald's, General Mills, Nabisco and Hershey. The CARU voluntary guidelines list seven basic principles, which address areas such as product presentation and claims, endorsement and promotion by program characters, sales pressures, disclosures and disclaimers and safety concerns."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of a specific case study in engineering ethics in Ontario, Canada. The writer discusses that in the case, one company (both of which will remain anonymous) alleged that another was distributing advertising brochures that made claims of engineering abilities and capabilities known to be false in violation of the Code of Ethics. The process for determining the nature of the ethical violation is the focus of this paper.
From the Paper "Engineering, in all its many incarnations, is one of the most creative and potentially constructive applications of human ingenuity possible. Engineers build bridges. They design homes, airplanes, and spacecraft. Engineers probe the inner workings of the biological world and design more innovative computational systems. In short, engineers are the individuals upon whom much of society depends; they take ideas and turn them into practical applications, creating and constructing all of the physical elements of society that we too often take for granted. In Canada the importance of engineers is understood and rigorously enforced. In neighboring United States, engineers are favored but are not controlled or taught how to control themselves. Engineering ethics - dealing with issues like safety, liability, and integrity - is considered optional. This is not the case in Canada."
Abstract This paper discusses the response to the request for ethics information in relation to advertising, and the following considerations that should be noted prior to the interview meeting that is scheduled for the president and CEO. The first point the paper discusses is how the virtue theory contends that each individual within society has a moral and ethical obligation to not harm others in the social order. Virtue by nature is part of the character of the individual and must guide the person to act in a benevolent manner toward others.This benevolence is based on the concepts of virtue, wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. The paper further discusses how within the theory of virtue there is the consideration that all adults within society are responsible for teaching ethics to young children so that they will inevitably act in a virtuous manner within the social order.
Abstract This paper analyzes the concept of ethics in advertising. It discusses the issue of how much information a company should be required to divulge to the consumer about a particular product from the point of view of the law, as well as from an ethical position. The paper also discusses the concept of ethics and providing information in relation to the U.S. government of today.
From the Paper "Granted, there is no course or class that teaches young consumers how to be discerning and rational when it comes to influential advertising. Unless a student is particularly interested enough to take classes in commercial art or ethics, the fact that most advertising is pure and simple persuasion can easily go over his or her head. The most vulnerable, of course, are teenagers, evidenced by the tendency to buy expensive jeans made from torn, worn and damaged fabric. Teens, who are beginning to have their own income sources, are not old enough to have been burned by deceptive advertising, and are still children enough to swallow whole the fairy tale advertising that they are fed through the media. Sadly, cartoonish characters like Joe Camel can influence destructive behavior. But Joe is a "form of commercial poetry," and the cigarette package clearly states that smokers can die from lung disease (Gordon 404)."
Abstract The paper raises questions about Carr's thesis that it is intrinsic in the business world to stretch the truth and sometimes mislead buyers. Carr argues that there is an agreement among people in business that bluffing is accepted as part of the price of doing business and so cannot be considered lying. The writer explores this topic of how business ethics in advertising can remain profitable but also ethical.
From the Paper "Carr presents his thesis in the form of an indirect argument, with his businessman friend serving to raise objections to which Carr provides answers. Carr says that the ethics of business are game ethics rather than religious ones, and his friend is not convinced, noting that he and his fellow business people pride themselves on their ethics, are loyal to customers and fair to suppliers, and otherwise completely ethical in their dealings. Carr assumes, however, that this man is inadvertently agreeing with him by saying he only lives up to the ethical standards of the business game, and he says this based on the fact that this same man "was allowing one of his products to be advertised in a way that made it sound a great deal better than it actually was" (Carr 244). Another product produced by his company had a "built-in obsolescence" so customers would have to repurchase sooner than they might like."
Abstract This paper considers various ethical issues in education, including segregation, conflicts with business and higher education, and the issue of national testing. It looks at the different dimensions of ethics.
Abstract The writer examines ethical issues involved in prescription drug advertising. The writer discusses that according to the FDA, the purpose of such advertising is to educate the public and thus empower them to play a role in their healthcare decisions. The writer looks at opinions of critics of the process, who claim that the advertising is misleading. The writer shows that the advertising encourages some patients to ask for drugs which are unnecessary or more expensive than substitutes.
From the Paper "In the Federal Drug Administration issued guidance on marketing prescription drugs directly to consumers instead of only targeting medical professionals. The response from the pharmaceutical industry was enormous .... "
Abstract The paper asserts that an ethicaladvertisement should never flex the facts in order to make the product more saleable. The paper discusses the ethics of weight loss advertisements targeting those who are vulnerable, such as teenagers or anorexics, and advertisements promoting fat-burning and muscle building that create issues of body image and perception. The paper discusses how, while the weight-loss industry is huge, if companies do not advertise carefully, they would be open to criticism from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the public. The paper concludes that in general, the advertising of a product ethically towards the consumer also benefits the manufacturer.
From the Paper "Any advertisement which hoped to sell weight-loss, or fat-burning, products would therefore have to be extremely careful with the claims being made, without, however, resorting to the Suanabelt's use of trickery. Any advertiser would need to carefully examine the benefits of the herbal supplement, and then insure that the adverts conformed to the FTC guidelines. The Advertiser might consider following the guidelines as laid down by The Weight Management Code Administration Council of Australia in order to ensure that there is no obvious misleading of the customer."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at whether advertisements promoting alcohol are really advertisements or serve as a public service announcement. The writer discusses that as beer and wine are currently advertised on television more frequently than distilled spirits, viewers infer the wrong message that one form of alcohol is intrinsically more subject to abuse or ill affects than another. The writer concludes that the television networks ought to be forced to apply existing rules and regulations equally to all suppliers to alcohol. Further, the writer maintains that the real answer to promoting public interest and addressing ethical concerns about targeting underage youth lies in changing laws or applying company guidelines equally to all companies.
Contents:
Are these true P.S.A.s or advertisements?
Are these messages in the public interest?
What ethical theories justify either running or not running the spots on television?
What ethical justification, if any, can be cited for running beer and wine ads but not ads for hard liquor? If there is no ethical justification for this, what (ethically) is wrong with this differentiation?
From the Paper "Many believe that advertisers should not be allowed to target underage audiences with products that are harmful to their health even if it means limiting constitutional protection because many children many children are not capable of making good choices. Research shows that youth exposure to alcohol advertising increases awareness of that advertising, which in turn influences young people's beliefs about drinking, intentions to drink, and drinking behavior.
Opponents of advertising alcohol on television are growing more vocal as alcohol advertising that reaches youth expands, leading many to believe that alcohol vendors intentional target underage drinkers."
Abstract This paper discusses Prof. Shaw and his book on ethics. The paper looks at various facts related to business ethics. The paper also discusses the issues in ethicaladvertising and explains some definitions in ethics. The paper also covers some industry acceptable code of ethics in Canada.
Abstract This paper contends that advertisers today are only concerned with the pursuit of money, and thus the promises of glamour and women that are splashed on car commercials are not realistic possibilities, but are illusions that will make consumers chase their dream. The writer bemoans the lack of ethics today, as we see with advertisers who make promises they cannot keep in order to get their hands on customers' money. The writer concludes by imploring readers; look at advertisements with your heads and consider the real message the company is sending out.
From the Paper "The American dream is crumbling. Morals are replaced with sound-bites and slogans. The facts have been replaced by the fraudulent fancies of a few philandering full-time advertising executives, and our morals are being dictated and decaying accordingly. A level of ethics needs to be brought back to advertising as a priority, and a moral responsibility needs to be added to advertising, because our country is decaying from a lack of morals thereof. The dollar is not stronger than morality, or ethics or the need to perpetuate a sense of integrity and decency within society."
