Volume 8, Issue 1 (5-2026)
Int. J. Ethics Soc 2026, 8(1): 36-48 |
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1- Ph.D. Student of Business Management, Department of Management, Yasuj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran
2- Department of Management, Yasuj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran ,ali.prizad@iau.ac.ir
3- Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Lorestan, Lorestan, Iran
2- Department of Management, Yasuj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran ,
3- Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Lorestan, Lorestan, Iran
Abstract: (448 Views)
Introduction: Brand hatred, as an intense form of negative consumer emotion, poses serious ethical and managerial challenges for companies. Beyond economic consequences, brand hatred often arises from unmet ethical responsibilities, such as failure in fairness, transparency, social responsibility, and environmental considerations. Addressing these issues is crucial to fostering trust and sustaining long-term consumer-brand relationships.
Material and Methods: This research employed a meta-synthesis of 91 relevant studies from the Scopus database and integrated expert insights from 23 industry leaders. Using the DEMATEL technique, the study developed a conceptual model to identify causal and dependent factors influencing the reduction of brand hatred in the Iranian home appliance sector.
Results: Ten key factors were identified, clustered into three main dimensions: customer relationship management (e.g., communication quality, complaint handling, after-sales service), extra-organizational ethics (e.g., social responsibility, environmental approach), and internal process management (e.g., timely delivery, fair price-quality proportion, innovation). Among them, ethical considerations such as social responsibility, environmental accountability, and fairness in pricing were found to be highly influential drivers of reducing brand hatred.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that ethical responsibility is not peripheral but central to reducing brand hatred. Managers in the home appliance industry can mitigate negative consumer sentiments by prioritizing ethical principles alongside operational excellence. This ethical orientation fosters positive consumer experiences, strengthens brand trust, and enhances sustainable brand-consumer relationships.
Material and Methods: This research employed a meta-synthesis of 91 relevant studies from the Scopus database and integrated expert insights from 23 industry leaders. Using the DEMATEL technique, the study developed a conceptual model to identify causal and dependent factors influencing the reduction of brand hatred in the Iranian home appliance sector.
Results: Ten key factors were identified, clustered into three main dimensions: customer relationship management (e.g., communication quality, complaint handling, after-sales service), extra-organizational ethics (e.g., social responsibility, environmental approach), and internal process management (e.g., timely delivery, fair price-quality proportion, innovation). Among them, ethical considerations such as social responsibility, environmental accountability, and fairness in pricing were found to be highly influential drivers of reducing brand hatred.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that ethical responsibility is not peripheral but central to reducing brand hatred. Managers in the home appliance industry can mitigate negative consumer sentiments by prioritizing ethical principles alongside operational excellence. This ethical orientation fosters positive consumer experiences, strengthens brand trust, and enhances sustainable brand-consumer relationships.
Type of Study: Review (Meta-synthesis) |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/10/1 | Accepted: 2025/10/26 | Published: 2026/05/19
Received: 2025/10/1 | Accepted: 2025/10/26 | Published: 2026/05/19
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