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The changing relationship between business ethics and buyer behaviour in the past decade

McEneff, Lisa (2011) The changing relationship between business ethics and buyer behaviour in the past decade. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Over the past ten years the term ‘business ethics’ has become a popular topic considering the
level of corruption within organisations which has created a high level of media coverage.
There is much misconception as to what exactly business ethics is by both consumers and
organisations. It can broadly be described as an organisation conducting their practices and
procedures in a manner that ensures ‘rightness in behaviour’ (Bartels, 1967, p.22). The
exposure of this topic has led consumers to question where products and services are sourced
from and consumers’ now not only require a product to be priced adequately but also expect
for an organisation to be ethical, however organisations are struggling to strike a balance
between these needs (Hiller, 2010).
The researcher has used both questionnaire’s and a number of in-depth interviews in the aim
not only to profile who an ethical consumer is but also to explore what organisations’
consumers currently consider to be un/ethical. Although it was difficult to categorise an
ethical consumer by their gender, social class and age, the researcher did discover what traits
an ethical consumer is likely to posses and why business ethics has become increasingly
important.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Business Ethics
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Marketing > Consumer Behaviour
Divisions: School of Business > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User: Timothy Lawless
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2011 14:48
Last Modified: 27 Apr 2012 12:54
URI: https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/576

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