Ethical Issues in Marketing
Wk 1 – Apply: Ethical and Socially Responsible Marketing Analysis
Assignment Content
Read “Ethical Issues in Marketing: An Application for Understanding Ethical Decision Making” from the University Library.
Write a 350- to 575-word analysis and evaluation of a company’s effectiveness in the following areas:
- Distinguish between social responsibility, ethical, and legal issues and their effect on marketing.
- Relate the triple bottom line to an organization’s sustainability.
- Analyze consumer influence on ethical behavior in marketing.
- Assess the value of communicating ethical behavior to the public.
- Conclude how ethical issues influence legal issues in marketing.
Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.
For the purpose of this analysis, we will be evaluating the effectiveness of Nike, a leading global sportswear brand, in addressing social responsibility, ethical, and legal issues in their marketing practices.
Social Responsibility, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Marketing
Social responsibility refers to a company’s obligation to act in the best interests of society, while ethical issues in marketing relate to the moral principles and values that guide marketing practices. Legal issues in marketing, on the other hand, are concerned with complying with laws and regulations. Nike has been criticized in the past for their labor practices, particularly in their overseas factories. This has led to social responsibility concerns, as the company is seen as exploiting workers in developing countries. The company has addressed these concerns by implementing various measures to improve the working conditions in their factories, such as increasing wages and improving safety standards. In terms of ethical issues, Nike has faced criticism for their advertising campaigns, which some argue promote unrealistic and unhealthy body image standards. The company has responded by using more diverse models in their campaigns and promoting body positivity and inclusivity.
Relating the Triple Bottom Line to Sustainability
The triple bottom line is a framework that evaluates a company’s performance based on three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. Nike has implemented various sustainability initiatives, such as reducing waste in their supply chain and using recycled materials in their products. By doing so, they are reducing their environmental impact while also improving their economic performance.