CASE STUDTY_ Heritage Research Associates

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Cambrian College *

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1016

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Marketing

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Feb 20, 2024

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CASE STUDY: Heritage Research Associates Q1: Do you think it is ethical to use membership in an association that doesn’t require any demonstration of expertise to lead customers into thinking the membership conveys some automatic claim of competency? A1: The ethics of using membership in an association that doesn't require a demonstration of expertise to imply competency can be a complex and nuanced issue. It largely depends on the specific context and the purpose for which the membership is being utilized. Here are some considerations: Transparency: It's essential to be transparent with customers and clients about what the membership signifies. If membership does not guarantee expertise or competence, this should be clearly communicated. Misleading customers about the meaning of membership can be considered unethical. Responsibility: Professionals should take responsibility for their own competence
and expertise. If membership in an association is being used to signal expertise, it should ideally be backed up by a genuine commitment to professional development and ethical standards. Regulation: Some professions have regulatory bodies that set standards for competence and ethics. In such cases, using membership in an unregulated association to imply competence might be considered unethical and could lead to legal repercussions. Informed Consent: Clients and customers should have the information they need to make informed decisions. If they are under the impression that a membership implies competence, and it doesn't, they may make decisions based on false assumptions. Reputation: Ethical considerations should also account for the potential harm to the reputation of the individual and the association if customers discover that the membership doesn't signify competence. Due Diligence: Clients and customers also have a responsibility to do their due diligence and not assume that membership alone guarantees
competence. They should seek more information and references to assess the qualifications of the individual providing services. Q2: Consult the MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards. Is the answer to question 1 covered? Explain. A2: MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards: The Marketing Research Association (MRA) has a Code of Marketing Research Standards to guide ethical behavior in the industry. While it doesn't explicitly address this specific scenario, it upholds principles like honesty, integrity, and transparency in marketing research practices. This implies that using an association membership to falsely convey competency could be seen as a violation of these principles. Q3: What problems do you see in the future for Tim and John and Heritage Research Associates? Do you think they are likely to
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become the “most talked-about research firm in the world”? A3: Future Problems for Heritage Research Associates: Tim and John, and Heritage Research Associates, could face several problems in the future due to their misleading use of association memberships. These problems may include: a. Reputational Damage: Deceptive practices can harm the firm's reputation and erode trust among clients and the wider research community. b. Legal Issues: Misleading clients could lead to legal troubles, such as lawsuits or regulatory penalties, for violating consumer protection laws. c. Loss of Clients: Clients may be reluctant to work with a research firm that engages in deceptive marketing practices. d. Ethical Concerns: The firm's employees may face ethical dilemmas, potentially leading to internal conflicts and turnover.
Becoming the "most talked-about research firm in the world" is likely to happen for the wrong reasons, mainly due to the negative consequences of their unethical practices. Q4: Consult the MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards. Are there any standards that back up your answers to question 3? A4: MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards: The MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards includes several principles that support the answers to question 3: a. Honesty and Integrity: Standard 1 emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in research activities. Using an association membership deceptively would be a breach of these standards. b. Transparency and Disclosure: Standard 6 stresses the need for researchers to be transparent and clear in their research activities and relationships with clients. Misrepresenting one's expertise through a deceptive membership would clearly go against this principle.
c. Accountability: Standard 9 states that researchers should be accountable for their professional actions. Engaging in misleading marketing practices would be inconsistent with this principle. Therefore, Heritage Research Associates' misleading use of an association membership is likely unethical, and the MRA Code of Marketing Research Standards supports this view. Their actions may lead to various problems in the future, including damage to their reputation and potential legal issues.
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