Going Global Case Study

Google.com to Google.cn: Google's Business Dilemma in China

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Abstract:
With China emerging as the largest Internet market of over 100 million users surpassing the US, top US Internet companies like Yahoo! and Google forayed into the Chinese market. However, stringent regulations on the use of the Internet forced many companies to censor the information that were in conflict with the policies of the Chinese government. Google also compromised on its motto "Don't be evil" and agreed to censor search results linked to a few politically sensitive terms like 'democracy' and 'freedom'. The US government and many human rights activists condemned Google for suppressing the basic freedom of expression and speech.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To highlight the censorship on media and Internet companies in China and the effect on the general populace as a result of restrictions on the free flow of information
• To discuss the resultant repercussions in the event of the Internet companies compromising on their business ethics for commercial gains, thus jeopardising the dissemination of information to all
• To debate on the role of government in the way businesses are run.

Contents:

• Censorship in China
• Google in China
• The Controversy

Keywords : Government and Business Environment Case Study,China, US Internet companies, Google, Internet censorship in China, Media in China, Internet freedom, Freedom of speech, Yahoo!, Regulations of Internet, Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Human rights and the Internet, Microsoft