Korean Journal of Human Ecology (한국생활과학회지)
- Volume 13 Issue 6
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- Pages.891-901
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- 2004
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- 1226-0851(pISSN)
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- 2234-3768(eISSN)
College Students' Consumer Non-ethics and Related Factors
대학생의 소리자 비윤리 지각과 행동 및 관련 변수 -김해시 대학생소비자를 중심으로-
- Jae, Mie-Kyung (Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences Inje Univ.) ;
- Seo, Jeong-Hee (Dept. of Child & Family Welfare University of Ulsan.) ;
- Kim, Young-Ok (Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences Inje Univ.)
- Published : 2004.12.31
Abstract
This study is to investigate the degree of consumers' non-ethical perceptions and behaviors, and to explore related variables such as demographic variables, idealism and relativism. The data used in this study were obtained by surveying 237 college students from 10th through 24th of October, 2002 in Kimhae city. We conducted a statistical analysis of the data, using percentiles, frequencies, means, t-test, ANOVA, and Multiple Regression. Consumers' non-ethical perceptions and behaviors were measured by modifying Consumer Ethics Scale(CES, Muncy & Vitell, 1992). The CES scale comprises 4 sub-factors: actively benefiting from illegal activity(CES1), passively benefiting(CES2), actively benefiting from questionable action(CES3), no harm/no foul(CES4). Average scores of consumers' non-ethical perceptions and behaviors marked below a mid-value, which means that most of the students are basically ethical. The related variable of consumers' non-ethical perceptions was idealism. The related variables of consumers' non-ethical behaviors were idealism and the amount of discretionary money. The results show that most of the participants are basically ethical as a consumer. However, the results related with the CES4 sub-factor which includes consumer attitudes toward copyrights of consumer softwares and music CDs tell us that they are relatively non-ethical. This claims an importance of consumer education to college students in regards to intellectual property.
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