Restrictions on Marketing Activities in Islamic Countries (Essay Sample)

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RESTRICTIONS ON MARKETING ACTIVITIES IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES
Several factors challenge marketing in Islamic countries. The setup of advertising in these countries is complicated in the perception of the Western norms. In consequence, it has been an alarming issue as Muslims do not match their culture with that of the western world. The products from the west are popular in these countries, but their promotion is restricted since their religion and culture has to be respected and adhered.
The Western goods face rejection since the targeted Islamic consumers’ mostly want to conform to their old commodities of Islamic origin. The products from the Western world are also not considered to comply with the Sharia law thus not Halal. For instance, wine, pork, and meat exported to their country and is slaughtered. Thus, influencing certain categories of commodities such as food and drinks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. More so, the Islamic countries want to promote their brands at the global level just like the Western world. In consequence, it acts as a hindrance to the marketing activity (Terpstra 132). As a result, it has facilitated increased number of the educated middle class in these countries creating a thrust of developing local businesses and commodities that are highly competitive with the Western brands. Therefore, creating an unfriendly atmosphere to the Western brands.
The Islamic religion poses some restrictions on marketing in many ways. Religion, for instance, dictates the acceptance of some foods, clothing, and behavior which in turn influences the reaction to some promotional utterances to be accepted or rejected. For instance, in Muslim countries, if advertisements give so much attention to physical functions, the promotions are regarded as immoral, the commodities would thus be rejected. An example of how the Islamic religion influences marketing is in the Middle East where the selling and marketing of pork products are illegal.
Islamic faith also dictates the role of women in business where their position differs from those in the Western countries. It has an implication in marketing where an advertising company cannot use women as marketing personnel and their consumption role may be a challenge. In Islamic countries, advertisers only access women through female sales representatives, direct advertising, and female specialty shops (FAM et al., 540). In Saudi Arabia, women do not drive their cars; they do not own private businesses and restrictions are imposed on men from entering the few retail businesses owned by women. Thus, male marketers cannot access women in their activities thus restricting the marketing process.
The structure of marketing in Islamic countries has its distinct features: the type of commodities, the profit margin, and the nature of business dealings. These features together dictate the philosophy of the marketing tactics to be incorporated so as to conform to the Islamic framework of values and principles (FAM et al., 550). Different Islamic cultures influence marketing. For instance, the responsibilities of family and the traditions of the tribe portray the importance of respected family members, oral communication and customer referrals may be essential. Therefore, a marketer should emphasize on family roles when promoting home related commodities. Sales...