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Ethical correlates of role conflict and ambiguity in marketing: The mediating role of cognitive moral development

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Abstract

Researchers in marketing ethics have identified the importance of cognitive moral development (CMD) in marketing ethics models. This study looks at selected correlates of role conflict and role ambiguity in marketing, especially the mediating role of CMD. Of the correlates examined, the results seem to support the existence of statistically significant relationships between CMD and role conflict and ambiguity. Implications for practitioners are provided. For example, the study could have direct implications for management personnel who have the responsibility of hiring ethical people and helping them address any role conflict or ambiguity that may arise from their job.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Francisco State University, USA

    Foo Nin Ho

  2. the University of Mississippi, USA

    Scott J. Vitell & James H. Barnes

  3. California State University at Bakersfield, USA

    Rene Desborde

Authors
  1. Foo Nin Ho
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  2. Scott J. Vitell
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  3. James H. Barnes
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  4. Rene Desborde
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Additional information

He received his Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Mississippi. His work has previously appeared in theJournal of Business Ethics, theJournal of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, theJournal of Marketing Theory and Practice, theJournal of Promotion Management, Health Marketing Quarterly, and various national proceedings.

He received his Ph.D. in marketing from Texas Tech University. His work has previously appeared in theJournal of Business Research, theJournal of Macromarketing, theJournal of Business Ethics, International Marketing Review, theJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and various other journals and proceedings.

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. His research has previously appeared in theJournal of Marketing Research and numerous other journals and proceedings.

He received his Ph.D. in marketing from Florida State University. His research has been published in theJournal of Business Research, theJournal of Marketing Management, and in various proceedings.

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Ho, F.N., Vitell, S.J., Barnes, J.H. et al. Ethical correlates of role conflict and ambiguity in marketing: The mediating role of cognitive moral development. J. of the Acad. Mark. Sci. 25, 117–126 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02894347

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