Ethics in Advertising and Marketing in the Dominican Republic: Interrogating Universal Principles of Truth, Human Dignity, and Corporate Social Responsibility

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Ethics in Advertising and Marketing in the Dominican Republic: Interrogating Universal Principles of Truth, Human Dignity, and Corporate Social Responsibility ETHICS IN ADVERTISING AND MARKETING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: INTERROGATING UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH, HUMAN DIGNITY, AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY SALVADOR RAYMUNDO VICTOR DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communications in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor William E. Berry, Chair and Director of Research Professor Clifford G. Christians Professor Norman K. Denzin Professor John C. Nerone ABSTRACT This research project has explored and critically examined the intersections between the use of concepts, principles and codes of ethics by advertising practitioners and marketing executives and the standards of practice for mass mediated and integrated marketing communications in the Dominican Republic. A qualitative inquiry approach was considered appropriate for answering the investigation queries. The extensive literature review of the historical media and advertising developments in the country, in conjunction with universal ethics theory, facilitated the structuring of the research questions which addressed the factors affecting the forces that shaped the advertising discourse; the predominant philosophy and moral standard ruling the advertising industry; the ethical guidelines followed by the practitioners; and the compliance with the universal principles of truth, human dignity and social responsibility. A multi- methods research strategy was utilized. In this qualitative inquiry, data were gathered and triangulated using participant observation and in-depth, semi- structured interviews, supplemented by the review of documents and archival records. Twenty industry leaders were interviewed individually in two cities of the country, Santo Domingo and Santiago. These sites account for 98% of the nation-states’ advertising industry. The interview process lasted six months. The data reduction and interpretation of the transcripts was reviewed and examined three times to guarantee accuracy. The analysis of document and archival records followed the same procedure as that of the interviews. The results are presented in terms of the most important findings, grouped in 6 major themes: 1) The advertising industry in the Dominican Republic has a rich and influential history; 2) Dominican advertising practitioners are skeptical about the value of academic ii literature concerning the field; 3) Although there is some government regulation, for the most part the advertising industry in the Dominican Republic practices self-regulations; 4) Advertising and marketing professionals in the Dominican Republic receive little formal education and training regarding ethics and how to apply it in their field and rely more on workplace rules and practices as well as formal and informal networks; 5) There is a widespread adherence to universal ethical values such as truth, human dignity and social responsibility among advertising practitioners in the Dominican Republic; and 6) The advertising industry in the Dominican Republic faces a precipitous future because of consolidation, digitalization, globalization, and a new generation of consumers who take an “anything goes” approach concerning what one may or may not write, express or post about an institution, organization, product or individual. The most relevant aspects of the findings are then discussed in the final chapter and some perspectives for future venues of research are analyzed. iii This dissertation is dedicated to my Dad (in memoriam) and to my family members Asunción, Salvador, and Lavi. I value your patience and hope the endeavor was worth it. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my thanks to individuals who have challenged, encouraged, helped, and supported me to complete this project. These persons are professors, family members, and friends. They have directly or indirectly aided me in carrying out this study. I am honestly appreciative of my dissertation committee, a group of talented and supportive professors whose confidence, encouragement and inspiration made the task of completing this dissertation an enjoyable process. Dr. William (Bill) Berry, my dissertation chair, advisor, and mentor, was the one who brought to my attention the idea of entering the doctoral program. Also, he was essential in helping me navigate the scholastic terrain, suggesting ideas for conferences and papers, and securing financial support for my learning experience. Moreover, his commitment, direction and motivation were essential to complete this dissertation. I am indebted to him for the rest of my academic and professional careers for his assistance to my education and personal growth. Also, I want to thank Dr. Cliff Christians, an exceptional person and professor. His outstanding wisdom and philosophy along with his devotion to scholarly work inspired me to use his ethics theories to further expand them to new grounds. Dr. Christian’s intellectual contributions inside and outside the classroom helped provide a theoretical framework for this study. In addition, he lectured me about the essentials of a dissertation and reassured my understandings about research. The underpinning of my identifying with qualitative inquiry for this project was the outcome of studying under the guidance of Dr. Norman Denzin. His energy, v enthusiasm, and enticing passion for a large breath of methodologies in conducting qualitative research was decisive in helping me understand that there are many more ways of looking at “data”. He was influential for the decision of conducting interviews in this exploratory study. Dr. John Nerone, the Director of Graduate Studies, was my point of entry to the academic world. His significant lectures in communication studies, history and historiography were the tip of the iceberg for my introduction to the rigor and standards in producing quality research and following a line of investigation. He is a bright intellectual who contributed comprehensively not only to the overall success of my scholarly development, but also to my personal progress in Champaign-Urbana. Other professors who have provided invaluable guidance include Dr. Jan Slater, Dr. Michelle Nelson, Dr. Chris Benson, Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke, Dr. Charles Roseman, and several others at the University of Illinois. Their personal concerns and individual advice at different stages of my doctoral studies will always be remembered. I am deeply grateful to my family for their support and encouragement and would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my departed father, who always kept wondering when I was going to finish and return home, but didn’t live long enough to see the completion of my study. Further, I want to express my gratitude to my mom, my son, and my spouse for their measureless endurance. Additionally, I must mention the support received from my siblings. My warmest expression of appreciation extends to my sisters Susy, Gina and (posthumously) Jacqueline, to my brother Frank, and to their families for their emotional support is necessary. Also, I feel the need to acknowledge my uncle Alfredo and my cousin Sunny. Our phone interactions served as a continued source of vi motivation. Their spirit, sense of humor, and constantly positive wishes kept me going. I must express my thankfulness to Sergio Forcadell, the undisputed Godfather of advertising in the Dominican Republic, whose dream of completing a PhD has now become a reality via me. His dedication to helping me with my field research was beyond expectations. Thanks a million and I look forward to working with you in writing the untold history of Dominican advertising. A large group of friends and colleagues have also contributed to the happy conclusion of this venture. They have enriched my personal and professional growth with the moments we have shared and experienced at the “University of Life”. Although it is a long list, each one deserves a token of my appreciation. In the United States, there are two sets of individuals that have played a role in providing support, from both close and distant range. Christian Alcántara, Alberto Coronado, Michelle Cruz-Santiago, Atilio de Frias, Jose de Leon, Wen Cheng Fu, Owen Kulemeka, Geremias Polanco, Feniosky and Minoska Peña-Mora, Milagros Martinez, Jean McDonald, Tracy Runk, Zully Rivera, Ida Salusky, Roberto Santiago, and Marcos Tavarez have contributed a pleasantly familiar ambience to my days in Champaign-Urbana. Luis and Michelle Atiles, Mario Camilo, Lucia Kim, Ron Martin, Lil Mejia, Oneida Mejia, and Raymond Ventura, have been of extremely valuable assistance in different seasons and settings in Chicago, Dallas and New York. In the Dominican Republic, Inmaculada Adames, Vinicio Almonte, Abel Cruz, Alejandro Esteban, Tony Garcia, Fonso Khouri, Harold Priego, Elisa Mariot, Ezequiel Molina, Aura Núñez, Angye Rincon, Adalgida Rodriguez, Adalberto (Tony) Rodriguez, and Iluminada Severino were all instrumental in keeping vii me on my toes and connected to my Dominican roots. Thank you all. Your energy was unbelievable. My cohort members have been extremely helpful for enhancing my horizons. My gratitude goes to Tabe Bergman, Katia Curbelo, Richard Doherty, Koeli Goel, Stephen Hocker, Jungmin Kwon, Mel Stanfil, and Jungmo Youn for sharing your perspectives and helping me to comprehend better the intricacies and the beauty of research. Also, I want to acknowledge some other ICR fellows including John Anderson, Sayuri
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