Discussion Analysis
Discussion Analysis
Please review the DQ forum for this week. Select 2-3 postings from your peers to analyze in your personal assignment response. For your personal assignment this week:
Write a 1-2 page summary on your analysis of the discussion comments and how you believe this content has increased your ethical self-awareness. Please include alternatives, analysis, application, and action.
The assignment should be submitted as a Word document and APA format is required. The title page and reference page are not counted in the 1-2 page requirement.
*Please remember to include your results from this assignment on your ethics portfolio for the final project. The dropbox will be in Week 8.
Staci Barfield
Week 6 Discussion
This case analyzes Google’s attempt to be a good corporate citizen and the privacy issues the company has encountered. The company originated from a small search engine and ranking system and has become one of the most profitabe internet companies in the world. Now, the company is offering products that go above a simple search engine. Google has made itself into the epitome of a “best company to work for.” Their benefits are extensive and employee are empowered to make decisions to improve the operation of the company. Behind closed doors, Google has faced some challenges. Google is forced to draw a fine line between using user information to generate revenue and violating user privacy. Through collected data, Google is able to offer targeted advertising to advertisers. The company can provide quality Internet services to its users for free. However, questions arise that seem to infringe on user rights and has encountered resistance from governmental authorities on many privacy-related initiatives. With the threat of new regulation, Google takes measures such as lobbying to try and prevent legislation from being passed that proves unfavorable to the company. There is a large stake in the privacy issue because Google depends on tracking similar activities to maintain profitability . In any company, there is always room for improvement. The company may choose to enhance privacy practies and increase transparency in its operations. The peer reviewed article that I read discussed the development of an anonymous identifier for advertising (AdID) by Internet search company Google Inc. to grant Internet users more privacy. Google designed the plan to grant Internet users more privacy in an age of Increasingly sophisticated tracking technology. [Tie information that AdID collects will be sent to a network of advertisers who agree to a basic set of guidelines.
Marketing Insights. Winter2013, Vol. 25 Issue 4, p5-5. 1/3p.
Matthew Wheeler
Week 6 Discussion
Google’s effort to balance privacy with profit is emblematic of broader ethical dilemmas in the digital age, where data-driven business models conflict with privacy concerns. This challenge is magnified by globalization, which complicates ethical decision-making as companies navigate diverse legal and cultural landscapes. Federico Ast in his book The Moral Dilemmas of Global Business (2018) discusses the evolution of corporate ethics in response to globalization, emphasizing the development of global codes of ethics since the mid-1970s. These codes are designed to align internal policies across global operations and address disparities in regional standards, often shaped by public and governmental pressure for greater corporate responsibility.
At its core, Google’s business model revolves around data: collecting, analyzing, and using it to drive ad revenue. This model, while enormously profitable, raises significant privacy concerns. Users often trade their personal information for free services, not always fully aware of how their data is used or the implications thereof. This trade-off highlights the ethical dilemmas companies face; they must navigate the dual objectives of profit maximization and the safeguarding of personal privacy. Correlating these issues with the broader theoretical framework provided in the chapter on globalization of ethical decisions, it becomes evident that Google’s challenges are not merely operational but deeply ethical. The globalization of business has amplified these issues, making them more complex and widespread. Decisions made in one country can affect user privacy across the globe, necessitating a more nuanced approach to data ethics that considers diverse cultural expectations and legal frameworks.
Ast categorizes corporate strategies for handling ethical variances across borders into four types: Foreign, Imperial, Interconnected, and Global. Each represents a different approach to reconciling headquarters’ standards with local practices. Google, like many global firms, faces the task of applying these ethical frameworks in practical, operational terms. The company must decide whether to adhere strictly to its home country’s standards or adapt to those of the host countries, balancing global operational standards with local expectations and laws.
This nuanced approach is necessary for maintaining trust and transparency, crucial for long-term profitability and ethical integrity. Companies must engage in “glocal” strategies—thinking globally while acting locally—to effectively manage the diverse expectations of their stakeholders worldwide. These efforts are not merely compliance-based but are integral to sustainable, ethical business practices.
Ast, F. (2018). The Moral Dilemmas of Global Business. : Intechopen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60620
Chastala Smith
Week 6 Discussion
Hello, classmates, Google has been recognized as the leader The Google case study was very interesting to me as I had no idea how many products Google had acquired. Google faces increasing scrutiny and pressure from users, regulators, and advocacy groups regarding its handling of user data and privacy practices. Google’s approach to privacy has ethical implications beyond just financial considerations. It involves fundamental questions about individual autonomy, consent, and the societal impact of data collection and surveillance. Google must prioritize these ethical considerations alongside its financial interests. Google has been profitable as it relies on its advertising which according to the reading receives $70 billion alone from advertising. While targeted advertising has been a significant source of revenue for Google, the company may need to explore alternative business models that are less reliant on extensive data collection. This could involve diversifying revenue streams or exploring subscription-based models prioritizing user privacy. Google operates in a global context with varying cultural norms and regulatory environments. Its approach to privacy must be sensitive to these differences while also upholding consistent principles of data protection and user rights across different regions.
Google has become the epitome of a “best company to work for.” The benefits Google offers employees are extensive, and Google empowers them to make decisions to improve the company’s operations. The company has taken a strong stand on green initiatives and supports technologies to address global challenges. Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” mantra became a popular yardstick to guide Google’s actions. (Ferret 2018)
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