THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON PERCEPTIONS TOWARD THE REGULATION OF CONTROVERSIAL ADVERTISING

Zehua Wang,Sameer Deshpande,David S. Waller,B. Zafer Erdogan 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.7

In the past, particular advertisements have offended people for being controversial products or executions, and, globally, religion plays a significant role in influencing attitudes toward controversial advertising. In light of advertising controversy and the impact of social values on government regulations, this study explores how religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism/Taoism, Hinduism, and non-believers) influences consumers’ perceptions of government regulations on controversial advertising. Controversial advertising is defined as “advertising that, by the type of product or execution, can elicit reactions of embarrassment, distaste, disgust, offence, or outrage from a segment of the population when presented” (Waller, 2006, p. 7). Typical controversial products include gender/sex related products, addictive products, social/political groups and health and care products (Fam, Waller, & Erdogan, 2004). Controversial executions usually refer to antisocial behaviour, indecency, fear, racism, and sexuality (Wilson & West, 1981). Several examples in recent decades show that marketing communications which involve controversial products or executions can cause a large-scale boycott of a brand. Studies have found that religion becomes a crucial indicator in influencing consumers’ perceptions of marketing activities and shopping behaviours (Al-Hyari et al., 2012). When the advertised content violates the religious beliefs of the audiences, brand damage can follow. While controversial advertising offends consumers, its insufficient regulation hurts too (Christy, 2006); thus leading to calls for more attention from government regulatory bodies (Boddewyn, 1991). According to previous studies, “many general spiritual principles and actual rituals in religion are related to ethical positions” (p. 533). Consumers’ religious beliefs could affect how they expect regulatory bodies to behave as social agents (Cornwell et al., 2005). Therefore, this study extends the literature by examining how consumers affiliated with different religions evaluate the current government regulation of the advertising of controversial products and executions, and whether they perceive that the regulations have effectively restricted the advertising offense based on their religious beliefs. Based on research data collected from 1,402 university students in 11 countries from across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia (namely, (Canada, Italy, Australia, Germany, England, China, India, Turkey, Mexico, Korea, and Malaysia), the findings confirm the existing literature that different religions are identified as having different levels of tolerance toward the advertising of controversial goods and executions (Fam, Waller, & Erdogan, 2004; Morphitou & Gibbs, 2000). Also, the restrictions required by some religious groups are inadequately addressed by regulatory bodies. See Tables 1 and 2. Islamic followers are more easily offended by controversial advertising. At the same time, they perceive relatively weak government regulations on controversial advertising. This is particularly true for the advertising of addictive products, personal themes, and risky/avoidable executions. Although in some Muslim countries (e.g., Malaysia) where numerous government regulations are already instituted to protect the Islamic values and their cultural identity (Waller & Fam, 2000), the force of the regulations is still perceived as weak, thus demanding more restrictions. Buddhists/Taoists and non-believers who are moderately offended by the controversial advertisements, more frequently indicate that the government restrictions on advertising are stronger than those indicated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. Perceptions of Buddhists are likely influenced by their philosophical teachings, which includes teachings of “Wisdom (right view, right intention), Ethical conduct (right speech, right action, right livelihood), and Concentration (right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration)” (“Buddhism,” 2013). Although Non-believers do not officially commit to a religion, the 73.37% of non-believers in this study reside in China and South Korea, both societies that practice Confucian cultures (Gao & Kim, 2009). Confucianism is concerned with “morality, propriety, modesty, social harmony and human relationships” (Ching, 1997; Wilhelm, 1931 in Gao & Kim, 2009). As such, Buddhists/Taoists and non-believers perceive that the regulations strongly protect their cultural values and the harmony of the society from inappropriate commercials, but are less restrictive of freedom of choice, free speech and marketers’ creativity. Hindus are found to be less offended by the advertisements of the majority of controversial product and execution groups; at the same time they believe that the advertisements are less regulated compared to other religions. However, their negative attitudes toward the advertising of addictive products call for special attention of marketers and regulatory bodies. Compared to the other four religious groups, Hindus indicate that the regulations are weakly planned in restricting the advertising of addictive products and the advertising offense still occurs. This finding confirms Hindus’ desire to prohibit such advertising in media in order to protect health and well-being of their young population (Shastri, 2012) and control overall crime in the Hindu society (Schneider, 2013). Christians perceive the regulatory restrictiveness as being significantly lower than Buddhists/Taoists and non-believers, but not different from Muslims and Hindus. Christians indicate an overall lower extent of offensiveness on all eight groups of products and executions than the other four religions, and they also report the regulations to be acceptable. These findings validate Morphitou and Gibbs’s (2008) argument that Christians have more tolerance toward self-interest and acceptance of the diversity in marketing communications. Christians’ opinions on the restrictive effects of the regulations on hindering free speech, freedom of choice, and creativity of marketing communications are salient. This finding would remind the regulatory bodies to be cautious about not being overly restrictive in Christian-dominated countries when planning regulations. The study findings have practical value for advertisers and policy makers. The advertising practitioners need to be aware of elements in their advertising that conflict with consumers’ religious beliefs, especially when operating in international markets, and prevent advertising offense. Direct marketing strategy is strongly recommended when promoting controversial products in a highly sensitive mass media environment, especially for marketing in pluralistic societies which have multiple religions. Advertisers need to exercise special caution when promoting gender/sex-related products and social/political groups in Muslim-dominated markets (Michell & Al-Mossawi, 1999; Fam, Waller, & Erdogan, 2004; De Run et al., 2010). Advertising of those two product groups to non-believers who conform to the ethical codes of Confucianism can also be offensive (Gao & Kim, 2009). Marketers should be aware that the advertising of alcohol and cigarettes is highly offensive to Hindus and Muslims. Their promotion in mass media may evoke negative responses. Additionally, using controversial executions in advertising should be avoided, especially when targeting Muslims and Confucian consumers. These findings may also help advertising regulation planners (self-regulating advertising bodies and policy makers) to gain understanding about how different religions view the current regulations of controversial advertising. When targeting Buddhists/Taoists and non-believers, advertising regulators should consider keeping the current level of restrictions of controversial advertising. We recommend similar approach when targeting Hindus except for imposing more regulations in relation to advertising of addictive products. In Islamic societies, more restrictions or more awareness of what are the current restrictions may be necessary, in order to comply with Muslims’ sensitivities, while an easing of the restrictions on the advertising in Christian-dominated markets would be desired.

The Effects of Difumarate Salt S-15176 after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Erdogan, Hakan,Tuncdemir, Matem,Kelten, Bilal,Akdemir, Osman,Karaoglan, Alper,Tasdemiroglu, Erol The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2015 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.57 No.6

Objective : In the present study we analyzed neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effect of the difumarate salt S-15176, as an anti-ischemic, an antioxidant and a stabilizer of mitochondrial membrane in secondary damage following spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model. Methods : Three groups were performed with 30 Wistar rats; control (1), trauma (2), and a trauma+S-15176 (10 mg/kg i.p., dimethyl sulfoxide) treatment (3). SCI was performed at the thoracic level using the weight-drop technique. Spinal cord tissues were collected following intracardiac perfusion in 3rd and 7th days of posttrauma. Hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopatology, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay for apoptotic cells and immunohistochemistry for proapoptotic cytochrome-c, Bax and caspase 9 were performed to all groups. Functional recovery test were applied to each group in 3rd and 7th days following SCI. Results : In trauma group, edematous regions, diffuse hemorrhage, necrosis, leukocyte infiltration and severe degeneration in motor neurons were observed prominently in gray matter. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control group. In the S-15176-treated groups, apoptotic cell number in 3rd and 7th days (p<0.001), also cytochrome-c (p<0.001), Bax (p<0.001) and caspase 9 immunoreactive cells (p<0.001) were significantly decreased in number compared to trauma groups. Hemorrhage and edema in the focal areas were also noticed in gray matter of treatment groups. Results of the locomotor test were significantly increased in treatment group (p<0.05) when compared to trauma groups. Conclusion : We suggest that difumarate salt S-15176 prevents mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and protects spinal cord from secondary injury and helps to preserve motor function following SCI in rats.

Advances in Animal Cloning in the Era of Functional Genomics and Beyond

Erdogan Memili,DVM 한국동물생명공학회(구 한국동물번식학회) 2007 발생공학 국제심포지엄 및 학술대회 Vol.2007 No.1

THEOREMS ON APOSTOL-EULER POLYNOMIALS OF HIGHER ORDER ARISING FROM EULER BASIS

Erdogan Sen 장전수학회 2013 Advanced Studies in Contemporary Mathematics Vol.23 No.2

Recently, Kim et al have introduced an useful method to get interesting identities related to Bernoulli and Euler polynomials arising from Euler polynomials of higher order (see [16]). Araci et al [7] also obtained many interesting equalities related to Genocchi polynomials of higher order arising from Genocchi basis. In this paper, we consider Apostol-Euler polyno-mials of higher order arising from Euler basis by using the method of Kim et al. We also try to derive a numerous of interesting properties related to special functions.

Cost optimization of high strength concretes by soft computing techniques

Erdogan Ozbay,Ahmet Oztas,Adil Baykasoglu 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2010 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.7 No.3

In this study 72 different high strength concrete (HSC) mixes were produced according to the Taguchi design of experiment method. The specimens were divided into four groups based on the range of their compressive strengths 40-60, 60-80, 80-100 and 100-125 MPa. Each group included 18 different concrete mixes. The slump and air-content values of each mix were measured at the production time. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and water absorption properties were obtained at 28 days. Using this data the Genetic Programming technique was used to construct models to predict mechanical properties of HSC based on its constituients. These models, together with the cost data, were then used with a Genetic Algorithm to obtain an HSC mix that has minimum cost and at the same time meets all the strength and workability requirements. The paper describes details of the experimental results, model development, and optimization results.

Denosumab - a Monoclonal Antibody, not a Radionuclide

Erdogan, Bulent,Cicin, Irfan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Medical Treatment of Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis: From Bisphosphonates to Targeted Drugs

Erdogan, Bulent,Cicin, Irfan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Breast cancer bone metastasis causing severe morbidity is commonly encountered in daily clinical practice. It causes pain, pathologic fractures, spinal cord and other nerve compression syndromes and life threatening hypercalcemia. Breast cancer metastasizes to bone through complicated steps in which numerous molecules play roles. Metastatic cells disrupt normal bone turnover and create a vicious cycle to which treatment efforts should be directed. Bisphosphonates have been used safely for more than two decades. As a group they delay time to first skeletal related event and reduce pain, but do not prevent development of bone metastasis in patients with no bone metastasis, and also do not prolong survival. The receptor activator for nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand inhibitor denosumab delays time to first skeletal related event and reduces the skeletal morbidity rate. Radionuclides are another treatment option for bone pain. New targeted therapies and radionuclides are still under investigation. In this review we will focus on mechanisms of bone metastasis and its medical treatment in breast cancer patients.

Computation of eigenvalues and fundamental solutions of a fourth-order boundary value problem

Erdogan Sen,Serkan Araci 장전수학회 2012 Proceedings of the Jangjeon mathematical society Vol.15 No.4

In this work, we study a fourth-order boundary value prob-lem problem with eigenparameter dependent boundary conditions and transmission conditions at a interior point. A self-adjoint linear opera-tor A is de…ned in a suitable Hilbert space H such that the eigenvalues of such a problem coincide with those of A. We discuss asymptotic behavior of its eigenvalues and fundamental solutions.

Dual-Hop Amplify-and-Forward Multi-Relay Maximum Ratio Transmission

Erdogan, Eylem,Gucluoglu, Tansal The Korea Institute of Information and Commucation 2016 Journal of communications and networks Vol.18 No.1

In this paper, the performance of dual-hop multi-relay maximum ratio transmission (MRT) over Rayleigh flat fading channels is studied with both conventional (all relays participate the transmission) and opportunistic (best relay is selected to maximize the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) relaying. Performance analysis starts with the derivation of the probability density function, cumulative distribution function and moment generating function of the SNR. Then, both approximate and asymptotic expressions of symbol error rate (SER) and outage probability are derived for arbitrary numbers of antennas and relays. With the help of asymptotic SER and outage probability, diversity and array gains are obtained. In addition, impact of imperfect channel estimations is investigated and optimum power allocation factors for source and relay are calculated. Our analytical findings are validated by numerical examples which indicate that multi-relay MRT can be a low complexity and reliable option in cooperative networks.

Fragmented local normative orders, unresolved localizations, and the contesting of gender equality norms in Turkey

Hüsrev Tabak,Seven Erdoğan,Muharrem Doğan 이화여자대학교 한국여성연구원 2022 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.28 No.2

This paper examines the localization process of the global gender equality norm in Turkey and argues that the normative contestations on this concern, among rival political blocs and activist groups, have not allowed any resolution. Accordingly, the global gender equality norm has undergone state-led secular localization as of the 1990s. In the post-2010 context under AKP rule, however, this process was disrupted by the proponents of the alternative conservative local norm of gender justice, who sought to replace the already localized norm of gender equality. Our study examines the contestations and rivalries regarding gender equality in the country with an emphasis on normative strategies utilised by the secular and conservative political blocs. Based on face-to-face interviews conducted with representatives of the main trade unions in the country, we also did a minor case study of the ongoing contestations regarding the adoption of gender equality norms, as manifested in trade union activism.