Google in China A Case Study

PRESENTED BY: KARINA ARDITE ANNE ATWELL BRENDA BURTON JOYCE LATORTUE

Google in China Overview & Background

In 2006, the Internet search provider (ISP) Google

was charged with human rights violations based on their cooperation with the Chinese government and their censorship policies. Googles slogan is Dont be evil The ethical question is whether Google is participating in evil by cooperating with the Chinese government in their information censorship.

Google In China Issues

There are two principle issues: 1 Can Google continue to do business in China while honoring their own motto?

Is censored information still considered valid and what responsibility does Google have toward providing only censored information?

2 If Google pulls out of China, are they neglecting their responsibility to the organizations shareholders?

China provides a very large growth opportunity for Google and offers its shareholders an chance at a significant profit.

Google in China - Problems

Google followed three principles when creating

Google.cn:

1 Google resolved to notify users when search results had been removed. 2 Private information about Googles users was not collected so that the Chinese government would not have access to this information. 3 Google.com and Google.cn would both continue to be available.

The ethical issue of Googles own self-censorship then becomes an issue.

Google in China Alternatives

Development of more refined filtering technology

that would have the capacity of categorizing good and bad information more efficiently Review and discern conflict between censorship and access to the international market

Google in China Recommended course of action

Warn users about probable blocked sites Recognition of firms having to face profit-ethics

pressures and variance of preferences when introducing themselves to new markets Expand knowledge about Chinas cultural dynamics Engagement of stakeholderstwo global superpowers Economic issue of trade between China and the U.S.more concentration on censorship and its effect on human rights

Google in China A Timeline

Google vs. China The Great Firewall Google.cn is launched in China Cyber attack alleged for allowing pornography

Google and Baidu Chinese own internet services

The launching of Google.com.hk US government respond to cyber attack

Google in China Evaluation of progress

Google continues to offer ISP services in China while

other sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are all banned in China Sites that present freedom of speech are offerings not permitted for the Chinese people

Google in China Financial conditions

Questions and issues arise as Google continues to

work within the censorship guidelines created by the Chinese government while working towards greater freedom of speech for the Chinese people

How does Google maximize profit while working within these parameters? Googles Foreign Direct Investment

Higher resource investment while exit costs could be very significant

Google in China A Case Study

What is the correct solution? Censorship is the price to pay for doing business in China. What does the competitive market look like in China?

There are no easy answers. How does Google live up to its motto, Dont be evil?

Google in China A Case Study

Questions or comments