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Video surveillance research in retailing: ethical issues

Malcolm Kirkup (Malcolm Kirkupis a Lecturer in the Department of Commerce at The Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.)
Marylyn Carrigan (Marylyn Carrigan is a Lecturer in the Department of Commerce at The Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.)

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

ISSN: 0959-0552

Article publication date: 1 December 2000

5732

Abstract

In an increasingly competitive market there is a keen interest among retailers to understand as much as possible about consumer behaviour. Advances in technology have presented retail marketers with many new research tools with which to monitor such behaviour. Alongside such advances in technology, however, have come accusations that some aspects of marketing and marketing research raise ethical issues. Those engaged in the use of new marketing and research methods therefore need to be aware of any potential public concerns and be seen to adhere rigorously to ethical practice. This paper examines the growing use of video surveillance within retail stores. The technique offers an objective and accurate research tool for retailers to monitor consumer behaviour. However, along with increasing use comes the potential danger of abuse, and the paper finds that few guidelines exist to assist retailers or researchers in managing this type of research.

Keywords

Citation

Kirkup, M. and Carrigan, M. (2000), "Video surveillance research in retailing: ethical issues", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 28 No. 11, pp. 470-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/09590550010356831

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited

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