A Comparison of Predictors of Ethical and Unethical Behavior among Corporate and Agency Advertising Managers

Abstract

This study explores the organizational environments and interorganizational network which potentially influence ethical/unethical behavior of advertising decision-makers. Questions explored are: Do advertising agencies and their client corporations have similar standards of ethical behavior? Are the influences on un/ethical behavior for these two types of organizations similar? Corollary to this second question, the researchers wish to determine if the differential association model of un/ethical behavior reported in "Predicting Unethical Behavior Among Marketing Practitioners" (Zey-Ferrell, Weaver, and Ferrell 1979) would be validated with samples of advertising practitioners. Through the investigation of these questions, the consequences of the environment for un/ethical decisions are explored. Additional research is suggested and implications for structural improvements in the environment for un/ethical decisions including public policy considerations are discussed.