Impact of Stealth Marketing On Sustainable Development With The Mediating Role of Culture in Punjab, Pakistan
Impact of Stealth Marketing On Sustainable Development With The Mediating Role of Culture in Punjab, Pakistan
Impact of Stealth Marketing On Sustainable Development With The Mediating Role of Culture in Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract
The study examines the impact of stealth marketing on sustainable development with the
mediating role of culture in Punjab, Pakistan. This research is Quantitative in nature and
research approach is explanatory. Data have been collected through stratified random
sampling technique from different educational institute of Punjab, Pakistan. Sample size was
292 respondents. Close ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. The findings from
SEM and CFA are illustrating the negative impact of stealth marketing on sustainable
development. This investigation also sheds light on interrelation between culture and
sustainable development. All the variables were found to have impact on sustainable
development. This study will help to educate marketers about negative and positive effects of
stealth marketing on customers.
1. Introduction
Development is one of the major concerns and hot issues globally both in terms of economic
and non-economic aspects. There are some studies which believe that culture is one of the
key drivers of sustainable development. Culture shares characteristics and knowledge of
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people, habits, language, music, art, religion and social harmony which is important
contributor in sustainable development of our society. Nowadays, stealth marketing activities
are distorting cultures.
Marketing is one of the major contributors for any business‟ success. Marketing techniques
are used to increase awareness in target market segments about business operations, products,
ideas and services. Different marketing techniques are adopted by marketers as per
requirements of businesses in order to achieve their stated or unstated goal and sometimes
these marketing practices become a reason of damaging societies socially, ethically as well as
economically.
According to Zimmermann (2015), no one can deny direct and indirect impact of culture on
sustainable development at individual level as well as group or national level. Literature
suggested that culture is one of the contributors for achieving sustainable development in any
state. Culture is something which transfers from generation to generation and society shares
these values. Kolenda (2013) discussed that nowadays educational institutes have some
effects on culture as well. In Pakistan, the Western culture is merging in Eastern culture
through marketing and educational institutes as medium to give birth to new culture which is
commonly known as “modernised culture” which is lesser productive, possessing lack of
ethical and social values and having negative results on sustainability of the country. Same
case was developed in country like UAE where Islamic culture is replaced by combination of
different cultures and believes resulting in harming sustainable development.
As per study of Jahangir (2012), the educational institutes are key to success of any culture
and world history is admitting this fact. Less developed countries like Pakistan is far behind
in researching culture in the academically and its role in development and what types of
changes must be implemented in order to meet economic and non-economic challenges.
Miller (2011) discussed about UAE as rich in cultural diversity. UAE includes Pakistani,
Emirati African, Europeans, Indians and large number of other nationalities and different
ethnic groups. This region itself is ancient, dating back thirty-five thousand years and well
developed having large deposit of oil, tourism, gold, natural resources, good infrastructure,
politically stable, safe place for people to live and invest and large number of job
opportunities for world but official language is Arabic instead of English because Arabic
language is the part of their culture. Secondly, the way of dressing, the way of eating, inter
acting each other are according to their cultural practices which they used to market through
different events and stealth marketing tactics. Hills (2010) conducted a study in UAE that
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Stealth marketing is distorting the culture and its components (Zimmermann, 2015) by
exploiting values and norms of a society (Smith, 2013) and ultimately endangering
sustainable development (Francis, 2009; Tabellini, 2010; Kamal, Bloom et al, 2013; Patel,
2014; R&D, 2008). The above studies are going to investigate the relationship status among
sustainable development and stealth marketing in the presence of culture as mediator.
3. To explore the mediating role of culture between sustainable development and stealth
marketing.
3. Does Culture mediate the relationship between stealth marketing and sustainable
development?
2. Literature Review
Stealth marketing is another name of undercover marketing in which marketers are achieving
their economic or non economical goals by communicating messages about their products or
ideas to desire audience secretly. Kaikati (2005) furtherly redefined the concept of stealth
marketing as: "Stealth marketing attempts to catch people at their most vulnerable by
identifying the weak spot in their defensive shields. It is considered to be a viable alternative
to conventional advertising because it is perceived as softer as and more personal than
traditional advertising." It is a set of covert marketing commonly classified as “Stealth
Marketing” which has also been referred to as “shill”, “undercover” or “masked marketing”
(Balter & Butman, 2006; Petty & Andrew, 2008).
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Many firms such as Virgin, Unilever, Adidas and Starbucks have started to use innovative
ways of advertising to grab the attention of the consumers including awareness generation
tactics, wild publicity stunts, creative product placement and emotional branding campaigns
(Marsden, 2006). Celebrities, subliminal messages, averaging, pop music, art and different
mediums are used by stealth marketers, by media and other digital and non-digital platforms
to damage or manipulate culture resulting decline in sustainable development.
Sony Ericsson‟s “Fake Tourists” promotion; “Tremor” a large teen network founded by P&G
in 2001; Wal-Marting Across America campaign; Dr. Pepper‟s Raging Cow Flogs; and
Burger King‟s hugely popular “Subservient Chicken” website features an actor in a chicken
suit who responds to most of the requests typed in a box are some of the prominent examples
of stealth marketing at international level (Branscum, 2004; Martin & Smith, 2008).
2.2 Culture
Culture is something which is shared and circulating among the members of society. Word
culture is derived from Latin word “colere” means “to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivate
and nurture, fostering growth”. Culture has shared characteristics and knowledge of people,
dressing, habits, language, music, food, art, religion and social harmony (Zimmermann,
2015). Every culture possess unique strengths like wide range of ideas, perspectives, norms
and values, analytical skills, solving problems , enrich community life and indigenous
knowledge (Okihiro, 2014). Culture has invisible but prominent effects on development and
business.
It is believed that India would never get developed due to Hinduism culture but in this
particular culture, there is lack of spark in this Hindu culture to innovate things and develop
business on international arena (Zoky, 2007). In some regions, there are multiple cultures
(Cultural Diversity) in societies which have negative effects on each other or having negative
effect on one particular culture so it can also be assumed that cultures have negative effects
on each other by distorting its different components (Nwegbu, Eze, & Asogwa, 2011).
Stealth marketers are not considering overall betterment and welfare of society in the terms of
development and besides that, they are just focusing on benefits in their business. This
attitude of stealth market is pointing a lot of serious questions about sustainable development
especially socio-culture and environmental sustainability around the globe (Heymana,
Abendrotha, & Lisa, 2012). T the trend of online marketing is growing and there are number
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Over past couple of decades, the term “stealth marketing” has started to use occasionally. In
literature, curveball strategies are referred to as stealth marketing tactics, aimed to target their
consumers without their knowledge and consent of being targeted (Kaikati & Kaikati, 2004).
According to Kaikati and Kaikati (2004), “viral marketing, brand pushing, celebrity
marketing, bait and tease marketing, marketing video games and marketing in pop and rap
music” are the most noticeable six ways of targeting consumers using such strategies.
According to code 15.4 of Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice by the Canadian
Marketing Association (CMA), “marketers should avoid undercover or word of mouth
initiatives that encourage a consumer or business to believe that the marketing‟ agents are
acting independently and without compensation when they are not” (Canadian Marketing
Association, 2008).
In current postmodern marketing environment, stealth marketing tactics have subtly been
woven in many facets of culture, and have begun to be noticed because they are off their
limits (Roy & Satya, 2010). Brands and advertising through undercover marketing techniques
and tactics, intensive usage of mass media and internet services, online blogs, subliminal
messages, pop and rap music, video games marketing tools deem to be problematic (Jameson,
2010; Johansson, 2004; Klein & Nason, 2001) and tend to have negative effects on quality of
life (Ger, 2011; Ger & Belk, 2012; Kilbourne, McDonagh & Prothero, 2009) and indigenous
cultures in developing countries like Pakistan as well as developed countries like UAE
(Terrece, 2005). Stealth marketing tend to distort the local cultures, lead to unsustainable
consumption, and contributes majorly to unhealthy diet and food patterns in developing and
developed countries (Terrece, 2005).
Marketing management comprises tactics and strategies for dissemination the prevailing
world culture (Johansson, 2004). The inrush of ideas, values, traditions, products, and
lifestyles through marketing from western countries highly influence and ultimately demean
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the cultures of countries around the globe (Barber, 2003; Jameson, 2010; Tunstall, 2007).
Traditional societies and their cultures are in a continuous state of danger of being distorted
and destroyed by exterior commercial inspirations (Cowen, 2002). These cultures have not
been eradicated simultaneously, native languages are being tainted by English language
(Baughan & Buchanan, 2001). The popular cultures are exported to developing world and
exploiting them through new ways and tactics of marketing (Watson, 2007). The wide
penetration of foreign cultures in developing countries threaten their native culture on the
whole and specifically their costumes, language, indigenous knowledge and religious
practices (White, 2001).
All people without the distinction of race, culture or nation hold variety of values and guiding
principles which outline their attitudes, behaviours, beliefs and shape their cultural identity
(Rokeach, 2012). Advertising plays a significant role in normalisation of extrinsic cultural
values that have an influence on cultural identity (WWF-UK & PIRC, 2011). Stealth
Marketing through advertisements is not only exacerbating the unethical behaviour,
wellbeing and inequality but also increasing the unsustainability in the environment (Burns,
2012). The impact of such marketing may in fact outspread further than specific behavioural
changes to cultural identity (Lang, Barling, & Caraher, 2009).
The relation between culture and development started to be defended by different experts in
1970s but has never been considered by international bodies and development agencies until
1980s and even 1990s. Max Weber was right in making the point that social values and
attitudes are pertinent in describing of what economies will succeed and what will fail
(Fracis, 2009). Culture is dignified by the indicators of individual values and beliefs
including trust, confidence in individual self-determination and respect for others etc. Culture
factors including “trust, autonomy, generalised morality and belief in the importance of
individual effort” have strong correlation with economic development of any country
(Tabellini, 2010).
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There was a view expressed that culture is enabler and powerful driver with wide social,
economic and environmental impact on sustainable development from statistics and data
from past decade (Culture, 2012). Culture is one of the economic development growth rate
indicators for any country. There are some ethnic groups which are tycoons of businesses; for
example, in Pakistan Sheikh Families and Khan who are known well for their smart business
minds, likewise in UAE only native Arabs can hold property and among key stockholders in
any private firm (Counselor, 2009). Besides the economic development of any country,
culture is playing its vital role in personal and moral development of individuals and societies
(Pekarsky, 2000).
Fracis (2009) highlighted this point of socio-cultural as important attitude and value as key
drivers of ups and downs in economies. Landies (1998) discussed cultural factors as the key
success factors of economies of nations in the book “The Wealth and Poverty of Nations”
which was written by David Landes. Tabellini (2010) established the relationship among
cultural ingredients like trust, autonomy, morality and belief correlated to economic
development. Nowadays, marketers are doing some undercover activities (Stealth Marketing)
to attain their goals which result in exploitation of culture, social values resulting in a lot of
unethical problems in societies (Smith, 2013).
Sustainable development can only be achieved by incorporating cultural factors into the
strategies for it (UNESCO, 2010). David Landes has concluded in his book “The Wealth and
Poverty of Nations” that culture is the key to success of national economies (Landes, 1998).
Culture also influences “lifestyles, consumption patterns, individual behaviours, and values
related to environmental stewardship” thus culture makes development more sustainable by
playing a transformative role (UNESCO, 2012). The literature has established the
relationship among cultural correlated to economic development of developing and
developed countries (Tabellini, 2010).
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Theoretical Framework
H4: Culture is mediating the relationship of stealth marketing and sustainable development.
3. Methodology
Research approach is deductive which is referred to move from “general to the particular”
(Pelissier, 2008) and findings support or modify a theory (Gulati, 2009). The nature of the
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Unit of analysis in this study is individuals from different age groups both males and females
especially associated with educational institutes of Punjab, Pakistan.
The sample size in this study is based upon stratified random sampling including respondents
from higher educational institutes both students as well as employees from both genders. The
selected educational institutes for sample are from Punjab province Pakistan. 292 complete
responses were received out of 560 questionnaires distributed in these institutes.
Questionnaire was adapted from literature in order to get responses of target respondents as
per requirement of this study. Descriptive data was analysed through (SPSS 21) software.
While inferential analysis, Structural Equation Modeling and Path Analysis were performed
by using (AMOS 21) software
4. Data Analysis
Gender
Age
Education
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Inter 61 20.9
Post-graduation 82 28.4
Employment Status
Student 64 21.5
Listening Music
The frequency of population was 292 out of which males were 149 (51.0 %) and female
respondents were 143 (49 %). Respondents from age group 18 to 25 years were 89 (30.6 %),
from age group between 25 to 31 years were 104 (35.6%), 72 respondents (24.7%) from age
between 31 to 38 year and 27 respondents (9.2%) above 38 year of age. If one talks about
level of education out of total sample from Pakistan; 61 respondents (20.9%) were of
intermediate level, 149 (51.7%) were of graduation level respondents and rest of the 82
respondents were post graduated (28.4%). According to employment status of respondents in
Pakistan, 49 respondents (20.6%) were working as part time job while 169 respondents
(57.9%) were working as full time employees, and 64 (21.5%) were studets. 288 (98.6%)
were marked as listening to music for 1 to 3 hours and 4 (1.4%) marked 3 to 6 hours. All of
the sample marked playing video games for atleast 1 to 3 hours duration.
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As below table indicates that the Cronbach‟ alpha values are ranged from 0.698 to 0.911,
implied that all the constructs are highly reliable. As in social science, the value of Cronbach
alpha greater than 0.6 is considered reliable (Field, 2006), and all the variables in the study
are approximately equal and greater than 0.7. The independent variable “stealth marketing”
proved to be the most reliable factor with α=0.911 and 8 number of items, then dependent
variable “sustainable development” with α=0.746 and 8 number of items, mediator variable
“culture” with α=0.698 and 9 number of items, and moderator variable “educational
institutes” with α=0.710 and 5 number of items.
Number
Variables in Study Cronbach’s Alpha
of Items
Culture .698 9
Traditions and customs practices are as much about the generations in the
future as it is about what we need today to fulfill developmental needs and .861
wants.
Social values are necessary for wellbeing and development of this generation
.775
and future generations.
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AVE 0.5637
Culture
Our national history and knowledge are well protected and promoted in our
.821
country.
Our national language is well protected and promoted in our country. .770
Our traditional foods are well protected and promoted in our country. .734
Our national dressing is well protected and promoted in our country. .659
AVE 0.5406
Stealth Marketing
Marketing campaigns that do not reveal that you are targeted by marketing
.901
are good practices.
I like the clothes and products used by characters in video games. .842
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AVE 0.5922
Obtained
Recommended
Indices values from
values
Pakistan
<0.10 or closer to
Root Mean Square Residual (RMR) 0.052
zero
The error terms of the variables are correlated to obtain the model fit as recommended by
model fitness index. The Value for GFI obtained for Pakistan is 0.853. IFI is 0.901and
CMIN/DF is 1.938. NFI value is 0.953and CFI is 0.955. RMR is 0.052 and RMSEA value is
0.063. All the values of model fit indices lie within the acceptable range of good model fit.
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<0.10 or closer
Root Mean Square Residual (RMR) 0.065
to zero
The Value for GFI obtained is 0.960 and IFI, the value obtained from Pakistan is 0.973
.CMIN/DF is 2.409 and NFI value is 0.995.CFI is 0.967 and RMR values is 0.065. RMSEA
value obtained is 0.007. All the values of model fit indices lie within the acceptable range of
good model fit for Pakistan. The tables below show the regression weights of mediator
variable that is culture in case of Pakistan. In table, “Estimate” is “beta”, “S.E.” is “standard
error”, “C.R.” is “t-value” and “P” is “P-value”. On the basis of p-value, the hypotheses in
the study are accepted or rejected.
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In this study, there are some limitations which may be filled by future research:
Sustainable development is a diverse term having a lot of different dimensions and fields. All
fields of sustainable development are not investigated in this study.
Under the umbrella of marketing, there are lots of different tools, tactics and strategies but
in this study, only stealth marketing is considered for investigation.
Results can be more generalised by conducting same study in many other developing and
developed countries across the globe including non-Islamic countries also.
For data collection purpose, only educational institutes are selected especially higher
educational institutes (Colleges and Universities) due to lack of recourses, time and
access.
The study has addressed only stealth marketing while other marketing tools and
tactics are also harmful for sustainable development which are ignored due to restricted
time parameters.
5.3 Implications
This study will provide solutions to the common global problem called sustainability
in development which is concern of every individual and nation. In other words, there
is large gap in existing literature to discuss impact of culture, stealth marketing on
sustainable development. So, this study will be a milestone to understand
relationships among these variables to solve global concern of sustainable
development for common good of every individual and nation around the globe.
Marketing tactics are indirectly and directly harming the cultures. This study will help
to educate marketers about negative and positive effects of stealth marketing on their
target customers and at the same time, it will also help society to stay alert about these
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undercover marketing strategies which are performing parasitic role in their culture
and developmental indicators.
Culture is also key contributor in sustainable development which will be proved by
this study and hence this study will help to understand concept of sustaining
endangered cultures which are on the way to extinction from globe every day.
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