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Online Music Consumption in Today’s Technological Context: Putting the Influence of Ethics in Perspective

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  • Bert Weijters
  • Frank Goedertier
  • Sofie Verstreken

Abstract

Whereas in the past ‘free’ and ‘illegal’ were nearly synonymous in the music industry, consumers nowadays face a myriad of music platforms with widely different characteristics in terms of business model (advertising supported, fee based, etc.), delivery mode (streaming, downloading, etc.), and others. The current research examines music consumption preferences in this new context. In order to break with the outmoded free-illegal versus paid-legal dichotomy, the present research studies consumer preferences for a broader range of music platform attributes, including free versus paying business models, (il)legality of use, artist revenues, downloading versus streaming, and audio quality. Based on a literature review and a qualitative study with in-depth interviews (N = 92), an online conjoint survey (N = 764) quantifies online music preferences. Results show that consumers of all ages clearly and consistently prefer legal and ethical options if available, but favor different ways of making this economically viable. Youngsters and young adults are more open to advertising, while middle-aged adults are more often willing to pay for advertising-free platforms. Thus, in real-life choices, youngsters may appear to be less ethical and law abiding, but the driving force behind this is mainly economical. Finally, a market segmentation provides deeper insights into online music consumer preferences and leads to recommendations on how to define viable legal and ethical music offerings. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Bert Weijters & Frank Goedertier & Sofie Verstreken, 2014. "Online Music Consumption in Today’s Technological Context: Putting the Influence of Ethics in Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(4), pages 537-550, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:124:y:2014:i:4:p:537-550
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1892-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chia-chen Wang & Chin-ta Chen & Shu-chen Yang & Cheng-kiang Farn, 2009. "Pirate or Buy? The Moderating Effect of Idolatry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(1), pages 81-93, November.
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    1. Oylum Korkut Altuna & F. Müge Arslan & A. Ercan Gegez & Özge Sýðýrcý, 2016. "Development of a Scale on e-Consumers’ Attitudes towards Ethically Questionable Online Behaviors," Bogazici Journal, Review of Social, Economic and Administrative Studies, Bogazici University, Department of Economics, vol. 30(1), pages 99-134.
    2. Dr. Md. Mozammel Hossain Bokul, 2023. "Music Consumption on Digital Platforms: A Study on Bangladeshi University Students," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(7), pages 90-105, July.
    3. Tomczyk, Łukasz, 2019. "The Practice of Downloading copyrighted files among adolescents in Poland: Correlations between piracy and other risky and protective behaviours online and offline," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    4. Kim, Jiwhan & Nam, Changi & Ryu, Min Ho, 2017. "What do consumers prefer for music streaming services?: A comparative study between Korea and US," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 263-272.
    5. Sinclair, Gary & Tinson, Julie, 2017. "Psychological ownership and music streaming consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-9.

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