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Citation Classics from the Journal of Business Ethics pp 447–461Cite as

Consumer Ethics: An Investigation of the Ethical Beliefs of Elderly Consumers

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Part of the book series: Advances in Business Ethics Research ((ABER,volume 2))

Abstract

Business and especially 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 perceptions of ethical consumer practices. In addition, few studies have examined the ethical beliefs of elderly consumers even though they are an important and rapidly growing segment. This research investigates the relationship between Machiavellianism, ethical ideology and ethical beliefs for elderly consumers. The results indicate that elderly consumers, while generally being more ethical than younger consumers, are diverse in their ethical beliefs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marketing, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi, University, Lafayette, MS, 38677, USA

    Scott J. Vitell

  2. College of Business, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, 71272, USA

    James R. Lumpkin (Dean)

  3. Department of Marketing, College of Business Administration, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 50614, USA

    Mohammed Y. A. Rawwas

Authors
  1. Scott J. Vitell
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  2. James R. Lumpkin
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  3. Mohammed Y. A. Rawwas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott J. Vitell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Faculty of Arts, Brandon University, 18th Street 270, Brandon, R7A 6A9, Manitoba, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

  2. Office of the President, Brandon University, 18th Street 270, Brandon, R7A 6A9, Manitoba, Canada

    Deborah C. Poff

Appendix

Appendix

List of scale items

Machiavellian scale

  1. 1.

    Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.

  2. 2.

    The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear.

  3. 3.

    One should take action only when sure it is morally right.

  4. 4.

    Most people are basically good and kind.

  5. 5.

    It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and it will come out when given the chance.

  6. 6.

    Honesty is the best policy in all cases.

  7. 7.

    There is no excuse for lying to someone else.

  8. 8.

    Generally speaking, people won’t work hard unless they’re forced to do so.

  9. 9.

    All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest.

  10. 10.

    When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reasons for wanting it rather than giving reasons which carry more weight.

  11. 11.

    People who get ahead in the world lead clean, moral lives.

  12. 12.

    Anyone who completely trusts others is asking for big trouble.

  13. 13.

    The biggest difference between criminals and others is that the criminals are stupid enough to get caught.

  14. 14.

    Most people are brave.

  15. 15.

    It is wise to flatter important people.

  16. 16.

    It is possible to be good in all respects.

  17. 17.

    Barnum was wrong when he said that there’s a sucker born every minute.

  18. 18.

    It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners.

  19. 19.

    People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly to death.

  20. 20.

    Most people forget more easily the death of their father than the loss of their property.

Ethics position questionnaire (EPQ)

I. Idealism scale

  1. 1.

    A person should make certain that their actions never intentionally harm another even to a small degree.

  2. 2.

    Risks to another should never be tolerated, irrespective of how small the risks might be.

  3. 3.

    The existence of potential harm to others is always wrong, irrespective of the benefits to be gained.

  4. 4.

    One should never psychologically or physically harm another person.

  5. 5.

    One should not perform an action which might in any way threaten the dignity and welfare of another individual.

  6. 6.

    If an action could harm an innocent other, then it should not be done.

  7. 7.

    Deciding whether or not to perform an act by balancing the positive con­sequences of the act against the negative consequences of the act is immoral.

  8. 8.

    The dignity and welfare of people should be the most important concern in any society.

  9. 9.

    It is never necessary to sacrifice the welfare of others.

  10. 10.

    Moral actions are those which closely match ideals of the most “perfect” action.

II. Relativism scale

  1. 1.

    There are no ethical principles that are so important that they should be a part of any code of ethics.

  2. 2.

    What is ethical varies from one situation and society to another.

  3. 3.

    Moral standards should be seen as being individualistic; what one person considers to be moral may be judged to be immoral by another person.

  4. 4.

    Different types of moralities cannot be compared as to “rightness”.

  5. 5.

    What is ethical for everyone can never be resolved since what is moral or immoral is up to the individual.

  6. 6.

    Moral standards are simply personal rules which indicate how a person should behave, and are not to be applied in making judgments of others.

  7. 7.

    Ethical considerations in interpersonal relations are so complex that individuals should be allowed to formulate their own individual codes.

  8. 8.

    Rigidly codifying an ethical position that prevents certain types of actions stand in the way of better human relations and adjustment.

  9. 9.

    No rule concerning lying can be formulated; whether a lie is permissible or not permissible totally depends upon the situation.

  10. 10.

    Whether a lie is judged to be moral or immoral depends upon the circumstances surrounding the action.

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Vitell, S.J., Lumpkin, J.R., Rawwas, M.Y.A. (2013). Consumer Ethics: An Investigation of the Ethical Beliefs of Elderly Consumers. In: Michalos, A., Poff, D. (eds) Citation Classics from the Journal of Business Ethics. Advances in Business Ethics Research, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4126-3_22

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