Question

Q. Write about various ethical issues in marketing management. Discuss in detail each one of them.  

Note: Answers should be in your own words - in Full Details - computerized ( Word Version )

Answer 1

Marketing management is an amalgamation of art and science which includes choosing target segments and retaining and acquiring customers through communicating value to the customer.

There are certain ethical issues that arise while advertising and promoting. For example, in the mid-20^th century, tobacco was advertised as a product that is of good health. In many adverts, objectification of women and violence emerge as ethical issues. Carl’s Jr.’s advertisements have models eating burgers in a sensual way while wearing revealing clothes. In some cases, a company highlights the disadvantages of the competitor’s products rather than showing the benefits and characteristics of their own product.

One very common unethical practice is planned obsolescence wherein a manufacturer design a particular product in such a way that it will have limited life and the product will become non-functional. Sometimes marketers communicate misleading claims to the audience about the quality or performance of the product or service. With the advent of social media – Facebook, Instagram and even Google – unethical collection of personal data has become prevalent. Data privacy issues arise and several lawsuits have been filed.