Navigating the Nexus: Teaching Marketing Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability

Abstract

Ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability are important areas to address in marketing education. While they are distinct constructs, the terms are often used interchangeably. Understanding their differences and relationships to one another is important in teaching these subjects. Ethical decision-making is based on organizational principles, values, and norms and is often more internal and covers areas beyond social responsibility and sustainability. Social responsibility is more externally focused on the duty to maximize a positive impact upon all stakeholders. Sustainability relates to how the natural environment impacts social and economic well-being. While ethics is the foundation for social responsibility and sustainability decisions, these constructs are linked by conceptual and operational relationships. Insights are provided as to how these topics are being taught and how research is being conducted in each area.