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ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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COUNTERFEIT CULTURE AND THE ETHICS OF INFLUENCE: SOCIAL MEDIA'S ROLE IN SHAPING CONSUMER COMPLICITY AND MORAL RATIONALIZATION

Authors: Anushka Musaddi;

COUNTERFEIT CULTURE AND THE ETHICS OF INFLUENCE: SOCIAL MEDIA'S ROLE IN SHAPING CONSUMER COMPLICITY AND MORAL RATIONALIZATION

Abstract

This paper investigates the ethical justifiability of counterfeit goods and the role of social media in shaping consumer complicity in these markets. Using a literature review, the research explores the psychological and social reasons that normalize counterfeit consumption. Key findings highlight the disillusioning effect influencers have on their audience, blurring the lines between marketing and personal recommendation, which leads to unethical consumption. The paper also identifies negative externalities of counterfeiting, including labor exploitation, loss of innovation, and economic harm to legitimate businesses. The research concludes that counterfeiting is not ethically justifiable and recommends solutions such as consumer education, stronger platform regulation, and the exploration of digital verification technologies.

Keywords

Counterfeit Consumption, Social Media Commerce, Influencer Marketing, Moral Disengagement, Ethical Consumerism, Consumer Behavior

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    popularity
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    influence
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green