Where is academia in the debate over the legitimacy of MLM?
Academia has not weighed in on this issue to the extent that one would expect. University officials and instructors are typically not activists and do not see themselves as having the responsibility to determine the legitimacy or legality of alleged scams. Unfortunately, some colleges who receive large donations from MLM companies have actually taught MLM as a legitimate business model and have allowed industry representatives to serve on academic boards. In isolated instances, some professors speak out and write about the abuses inherent in the MLM field. However, since MLM has become such a major phenomenon among many countries in the world, more serious study of the effects of MLM participation could well be undertaken. But to be objective, such research should be financed from independent sources and not from MLM companies or the DSA.
