How can ethical decision involved in marketing be improved?

Placement of a product is something that’s always a question in ethics that arise when it comes to the distribution process. Often times you will notice an abundance of fried chicken fast food restaurants in urban and African American predominant areas or the advertisement of menthol cigarettes on billboards near those communities. Information is gathered from research, and is very important in the success of marketing a product or service. Often times on the consumer end, we tend to consider this data collecting, invasion of privacy. Many people are resistant to give out this type of information. In fear that they will receive unwanted marketing promotions and products.

Considering the fact that decisions in marketing require a great deal of specialized knowledge, ethical issues can be much more difficult to deal with than those we face in our personal lives. Effective and ethical decision making in this industry of marketing requires much consistency. Businesses and brands will always have different situations, and when taken into consideration the level of complication, many businesses and brands have to learn to create and embrace something such as ethical codes of conduct. Something that creates clear and present rules of professional ethics that help and guide management and their employees.

Self-regulation needs to be in the scope of practice in any business, with the way technology is evolving, it’s necessary to change the way we do business and take a serious interest in the shareholders and consumers. Too many businesses are taking advantage of the serious focus on better service in person and online, and with that being said, its only a matter of time before we find out what businesses will sink or swim and which of those swimmers will stay above float.