On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements
This article explores the ethical implications of multilevel marketing (MLM) in the dietary supplement sector, analyzing issues of transparency, fairness, and the exploitation of consumers and distributors. The objective is to assess MLM through the lens of bioethics, focusing on the principles of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Portuguese |
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Universidade Federal de Viçosa
2024-11-01
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| Series: | REVES - Revista Relações Sociais |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://periodicos.ufv.br/reves/article/view/20186 |
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| _version_ | 1832095423624380416 |
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| author | Edgar Manuel Cambaza Filipe Francisco Gerente Gustavo Sebastião Job Cuata Rajabo Victorino Jamal |
| author_facet | Edgar Manuel Cambaza Filipe Francisco Gerente Gustavo Sebastião Job Cuata Rajabo Victorino Jamal |
| author_sort | Edgar Manuel Cambaza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
This article explores the ethical implications of multilevel marketing (MLM) in the dietary supplement sector, analyzing issues of transparency, fairness, and the exploitation of consumers and distributors. The objective is to assess MLM through the lens of bioethics, focusing on the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The methodology involves a systematic literature review using Atlas.ti software to categorize themes related to unfounded health claims, recruitment practices, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups. The main findings indicate that the current MLM model favors an elite, leaves most distributors at a financial disadvantage, and compromises consumer autonomy and health by selling products with unproven benefits. The conclusion highlights that as it currently operates, MLM does not meet fundamental ethical principles and requires significant adjustments. Recommendations include increased company transparency, stricter regulations, and ethical alternatives such as eliminating recruitment-based structures.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0dc3fcf46814bf7ad575f8e51240def |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2595-4490 |
| language | Portuguese |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Universidade Federal de Viçosa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | REVES - Revista Relações Sociais |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0dc3fcf46814bf7ad575f8e51240def2025-02-05T19:53:14ZporUniversidade Federal de ViçosaREVES - Revista Relações Sociais2595-44902024-11-017210.18540/revesvl7iss2pp20186On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplementsEdgar Manuel Cambaza0Filipe Francisco Gerente Gustavo1Sebastião Job Cuata2Rajabo Victorino Jamal3Universidade Aberta ISCED (UnISCED), Rua Carlos Pereira, Parcela nº 148/07, Estoril Expansão, Beira, MoçambiqueUniversidade Aberta ISCED (UnISCED), Rua Carlos Pereira, Parcela nº 148/07, Estoril Expansão, Beira, MoçambiqueUniversidade Aberta ISCED (UnISCED), Rua Carlos Pereira, Parcela nº 148/07, Estoril Expansão, Beira, MoçambiqueUniversidade Aberta ISCED (UnISCED), Rua Carlos Pereira, Parcela nº 148/07, Estoril Expansão, Beira, Moçambique This article explores the ethical implications of multilevel marketing (MLM) in the dietary supplement sector, analyzing issues of transparency, fairness, and the exploitation of consumers and distributors. The objective is to assess MLM through the lens of bioethics, focusing on the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The methodology involves a systematic literature review using Atlas.ti software to categorize themes related to unfounded health claims, recruitment practices, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups. The main findings indicate that the current MLM model favors an elite, leaves most distributors at a financial disadvantage, and compromises consumer autonomy and health by selling products with unproven benefits. The conclusion highlights that as it currently operates, MLM does not meet fundamental ethical principles and requires significant adjustments. Recommendations include increased company transparency, stricter regulations, and ethical alternatives such as eliminating recruitment-based structures. https://periodicos.ufv.br/reves/article/view/20186Marketing multinívelSuplementos alimentaresÉtica |
| spellingShingle | Edgar Manuel Cambaza Filipe Francisco Gerente Gustavo Sebastião Job Cuata Rajabo Victorino Jamal On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements REVES - Revista Relações Sociais Marketing multinível Suplementos alimentares Ética |
| title | On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| title_full | On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| title_fullStr | On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| title_short | On the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| title_sort | on the ethics of multilevel marketing based on dietary supplements |
| topic | Marketing multinível Suplementos alimentares Ética |
| url | https://periodicos.ufv.br/reves/article/view/20186 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT edgarmanuelcambaza ontheethicsofmultilevelmarketingbasedondietarysupplements AT filipefranciscogerentegustavo ontheethicsofmultilevelmarketingbasedondietarysupplements AT sebastiaojobcuata ontheethicsofmultilevelmarketingbasedondietarysupplements AT rajabovictorinojamal ontheethicsofmultilevelmarketingbasedondietarysupplements |