Conceptualizing ethics positions of health and fitness managers; an empirical investigation in Greece

Abstract

Abstract. This research aim was to examine the ethical viewpoints of health and fitness managers in Greece. To achieve this, an adapted version of the Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ) (Forsyth, 1980) was employed. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether managers of these fitness centers leaned more towards idealism or relativism in their ethical perspectives. A group of 249 health and fitness managers participated in this study and completed Forsyth's original EPQ questionnaire included a total of 20 variables, with 10 assessing Idealism, and 10 evaluating Relativism. The EPQ was translated into Greek and adapted to suit the specific context of the Greek health and fitness industry, following multiple pilot studies. Both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted, resulting in a 12-item questionnaire with two distinct factors. The modified EPQ demonstrated strong internal consistency and showed convergent validity with related constructs. Furthermore, the categorization of normative procedures into types suggested that health and fitness managers in Greece held varying ethical positions. Some leaned towards a more absolute ethical approach, while others took into account situational factors in their ethical considerations. Investigating the ethical perspectives of health and fitness managers can provide valuable insights for developing ethical codes of conduct and tailored educational initiatives within this sector. Key Words: business ethics, health & fitness, managers, Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ)

Segmenting Fitness Center Customers: Leveraging Perceived Ethicality for Enhanced Loyalty, Trust, and Word-of-Mouth Communication

“…Comparing the above remarks with the low-CPE segment that is identified in this research, it is confirmed that Greek fitness businesses do not address appropriately all the crucial issues that arise from daily business practice and management, as in the meantime they are not undertaking initiatives for improving their ethical image through socially/environmentally focused actions, for implementing sustainability and resilience strategies, or for building long-term relationships with their customers. In the relevant literature, it is recommended that fitness centers prioritize ethical behavior and values in their operations, as this can help to build trust and long-term relationships with customers [1,100]. It seems that a large number of the sample's fitness businesses have not yet developed an established code of conduct that can be communicated to their customers through the companies' key individuals, employees, and overall business practices, linking the businesses' ethical image to their customers' responses [101,102].…”

“…The pervasive presence of unethical practices in contemporary business and society has spurred scholarly investigation, emphasizing the pivotal role of ethics [1,2]. Jakubanecs et al [3] have underscored the multidimensional nature of business ethics, suggesting that various forms of unethical corporate behavior can elicit different responses from consumers.…”