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Inter-country differences of consumer ethics in Arab countries

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  • Al-Khatib, Jamal A.
  • Vitell, Scott J.
  • Rexeisen, Richard
  • Rawwas, Mohammed

Abstract

Recent geopolitical events have placed the Arab world at the center of attention of the global stage. Nevertheless, there are many potentially profitable opportunities in the region for interested Western firms. Today global firms and public policymakers consider the task of understanding the Arabs' mindset a major priority and a must for successfully operating in the region. Despite this heightened interest, limited effort has been made by social and behavioral scientists to study that part of the world and its people. Most of the current research is journalistic in nature and tends to treat the Arab region as monolithic rather than one that consists of different likes, attitudes and behaviors. The present study overcomes some of this shortcoming by specifically evaluating whether consumers within the Arab world differ from each other with respect to their ethical beliefs, ethical ideologies, and degree of Machiavellianism. Utilizing a sample of 683 consumers from four Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and Oman), the findings suggest that Arab consumers differ significantly in their ethical beliefs and ideologies. Specific results are discussed and managerial implications are offered.

Suggested Citation

  • Al-Khatib, Jamal A. & Vitell, Scott J. & Rexeisen, Richard & Rawwas, Mohammed, 2005. "Inter-country differences of consumer ethics in Arab countries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 495-516, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:14:y:2005:i:4:p:495-516
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    2. Long-Chuan Lu & Chia-Ju Lu, 2010. "Moral Philosophy, Materialism, and Consumer Ethics: An Exploratory Study in Indonesia," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 94(2), pages 193-210, June.
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    4. BaoChun Zhao & ShanShan Xu, 2013. "Does Consumer Unethical Behavior Relate to Birthplace? Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(3), pages 475-488, March.
    5. Lythreatis, Sophie & Mostafa, Ahmed Mohammed Sayed & Pereira, Vijay & Wang, Xiaojun & Giudice, Manlio Del, 2021. "Servant leadership, CSR perceptions, moral meaningfulness and organizational identification- evidence from the Middle East," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5).
    6. T. De Bock & P. Van Kenhove & -, 2010. "Consumer Ethics: The Role of Self-Regulatory Focus," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 10/653, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    7. Tine Bock & Iris Vermeir & Patrick Kenhove, 2013. "“What’s the Harm in Being Unethical? These Strangers are Rich Anyway!” Exploring Underlying Factors of Double Standards," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(2), pages 225-240, January.
    8. Tine Bock & Patrick Kenhove, 2011. "Double Standards: The Role of Techniques of Neutralization," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(2), pages 283-296, March.
    9. T. De Bock & P. Van Kenhove, 2010. "Consumer Ethics: The Role of Self-Regulatory Focus," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 10/670, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    10. T. De Bock & P. Van Kenhove, 2010. "Double Standards: The Role of Techniques of Neutralization," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 10/669, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    11. Zasuwa, Grzegorz, 2016. "Do the ends justify the means? How altruistic values moderate consumer responses to corporate social initiatives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3714-3719.
    12. Auger, Pat & Devinney, Timothy M. & Louviere, Jordan J. & Burke, Paul F., 2010. "The importance of social product attributes in consumer purchasing decisions: A multi-country comparative study," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 140-159, April.

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