A recent study of marketing professionals found that their ethical judgments were influenced by several factors. List four of these factors. How do these factors contribute to the ethical environment of a marketing organization?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER: Ethical judgments were influenced by several factors, and students can list any four:(1) The extent of ethical problems within the organization: The healthier the ethical environment, the more likely it is that marketers will take a strong stand against questionable practices.(2) Top management actions on ethics: Top management can have a profound influence on the ethical behavior of marketing professionals by performing actions that encourage ethical behavior or discourage unethical behavior. Setting an example communicates an ethical philosophy.(3) Potential magnitude of the consequences: The greater the harm, the more likely it is that marketers will recognize the action is unethical.(4) Social consensus: The greater the degree of agreement among other marketers that an action is harmful, the more likely it is that marketers will recognize it as unethical.(5) Probability of a harmful outcome: Higher probabilities of harmful outcomes mean that marketers are more likely to realize that the actions are unethical.(6) Length of time between the decision and the onset of consequences: The shorter the time frame between the action and the onset of negative consequence, the more likely it is that marketers will perceive a problem as unethical.(7) Number of people to be affected: The more people affected by a negative outcome, the more likely it is that marketers will recognize the decision as unethical.