An Examination of Marketing Ethics: Role of the Decision Maker, Consequences of the Decision, Management Position, and Sex of the Respondent

The magnitude of the consequences of an unethical act as well as the role played by the decision maker (as actor or requestor and in terms of gender) are examined in order to assess their effect upon the likelihood of an ethical decision being made. Managers appear to be practicing situational ethics. Differences were found by magnitude of consequence and role for situations involving bribery. Differences were found by magnitude of consequence, gender, and management level for conflict-of-interest issues. Differences were found by actor-requestor in whistleblowing situations. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.