A no-holds-barred examination of 'ethical' consumerism.

Do consumers really care where products come from and how they are made? Is there such a thing as an 'ethical consumer'? Corporations and policy makers are bombarded with international surveys purporting to show that most consumers want ethical products. Yet when companies offer such products they are often met with indifference and limited uptake. It seems that survey radicals turn into economic conservatives at the checkout. This book reveals not only why the search for the 'ethical consumer' is futile but also why the social aspects of consumption cannot be ignored. Consumers are revealed to be much more deliberative and sophisticated in how they do or do not incorporate social factors into their decision making. Using first-hand findings and extensive research, The Myth of the Ethical Consumer provides academics, students and leaders in corporations and NGOs with an enlightening picture of the interface between social causes and consumption. A half-hour documentary capturing interviews with consumers in eight countries is included on an accompanying DVD.

A no-holds-barred examination of 'ethical' consumerism.

Focusing on ethical consumers, their behaviour, discourses and narratives as well as the social and political contexts in which they operate, this text provides a summary of the manner and effectiveness of their actions.

"Arising from foundations in green and eco consumerism alongside corporate social responsibility, ethical consumption is a multi-disciplinary area of research, incorporating perspectives from marketing, psychology and sociology. This shortform book presents an expert overview of the empirical evidence on ethical consumption. It takes both an historical and thematic perspective, covering definitions of ethical consumption, typologies of ethical consumer practices, successes brought about from consumer action and an current challenges. It also focuses on the emergence of contemporary perspectives on ethical consumer behaviour from three discrete perspectives; those focusing on consumer segmentation (the profiling of ethical consumers), those which take a psychological approach (the decision-making processes which underpin ethical consumption), and those which are sociological in nature (the identities and practices which underpin ethical consumption). The book finally synthesises these perspectives in the context of the 'problems' that are often claimed to exist, such as the existence of the 'attitude-behaviour gap', and provides conclusions which make recommendations for practice and further research. It will be of interest to academics and students of marketing, consumption and related fields, as well as to practitioners and policy makers who want to understand more about the evidence pertaining to ethical consumers, what motivates them, and how to encourage and educate them to consume more ethically"--

Globalizing Responsibility: The Political Rationalities of Ethical Consumption presents an innovative reinterpretation of the forces that have shaped the remarkable growth of ethical consumption. Develops a theoretically informed new approach to shape our understanding of the pragmatic nature of ethical action in consumption processes Provides empirical research on everyday consumers, social networks, and campaigns Fills a gap in research on the topic with its distinctive focus on fair trade consumption Locates ethical consumption within a range of social theoretical debates -on neoliberalism, governmentality, and globalisation Challenges the moralism of much of the analysis of ethical consumption, which sees it as a retreat from proper citizenly politics and an expression of individualised consumerism

In modern business environments, ethical behavior plays a crucial role in success. Managers and business leaders must pay close attention to the ethics of their policies and behaviors to avoid a reputation-crushing scandal. Business Law and Ethics: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications explores best practices business leaders need to navigate the complex landscape of legal and ethical issues on a day-to-day basis. Utilizing both current research and established conventions, this multi-volume reference is a valuable tool for business leaders, managers, students, and professionals in a globalized marketplace.