Complex Problem: Censorship

Fcomplex problemCHINESE GOVERNMENTCENSORSHIP

Fhow do government censors patrol the internet? “Every time a person types in a web address on a computer in China, the request goes through a series of filters. Thousands of censors working for the government use these filters to seek out sensitive topics and block access to sites deemed anti-government. ”

Finterdisciplinary questionWhat are the consequences of technology companies’ participation in Chinese internet censorship?

Fpersonal thoughtsCensorship causes blindness.Can you see who is blinding you?

Fpersonal thoughtsI view the Chinese government’s censorship of information as unethical. Free expression and the free flow of information is a human right. I acknowledge that the Chinese market is very lucrative and that a company’s goals are to pursue growth opportunities and earn profit. The Chinese people should also have access to internet services. However, complying with censorship rules would eventually tarnish a technology corporation’s image and lead them to compromise their values.

Fdisciplinary perspective #1Global BusinessI chose the Global Business perspective to better understand: • benefits of participating in the Chinese market • policies and goals of companies • expectations of growth • responsibilities to shareholders • economic and social impact Global Business deals with the challenges Western companies face when conducting activities in a culturally different and complicated environment.

Fdisciplinary perspective #2Business EthicsThe morality of doing business, specifically in China, requires an overview of: • human rights • freedom of speech • access to information • reflections on company philosophy • impact on the Chinese people • morality of censorshipBusiness ethics addresses with the potential human costs of complying with censorship laws.

Fkey theories: global businessRational Choice Theory • humans act rationally • choices are analyzed by likely costs and benefits • goals: • maximize gain • minimize lossSupply and Demand • price is determined by demand for a product and the supply for a particular price

Fkey theories: global businessOpportunity Cost • making a choice means giving up the benefits associated with an alternative choiceInternational Relations • deals with state interactions and policy making • three core principles: • dominance • reciprocity • identity

Fkey theories: business ethicsUtilitarianism• the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people• end result determines morality • pleasure -> right • pain -> wrongSocial Responsibility• organizations have an obligation to act in ways that benefit of society

Fkey theories: business ethicsStakeholder Theory • corporations are affected by numerous individuals and groups including: • customers • suppliers • employees • media • communities • government • financiers • investors • the goal is to maximize the value for ‘stakeholders’ • contrasts with view that maximizing profit for stockholders is a corporation’s only responsibility

Fcommon groundUtilitarianism and Rational ChoiceAn important part of doing business is evaluating the potential costs and benefits of every action and decision. A company’s main goal is to maximize ‘pleasure’, or in the words of business, ‘profit’ and ‘gain’. It seeks to avoid ‘pain’, i.e. ‘loss’ and ‘disadvantage’.

Fcommon groundPleasure, Profit, and GainParticipating in the world’s second largest economy assures future growth and ability to generate revenue. Companies seek to comply with Chinese censorship laws to gain access to the 485 million Chinese web users. Relations with powerful Chinese government are strengthened by obedience and sensitivity to laws — leading to greater cooperation.

Fcommon groundPain, Loss, and DisadvantageDisadvantages of compliance: • loss of international reputation • violation of human rights • risk of angering stakeholders • threat of legislation from other countries (namely, USA)

Fcommon groundPleasure, Profit, and GainAn important consideration is technology companies’ stated visions and goals. … a computer on every desk and in every home …— Bill Gates (Microsoft)Google’s mission is to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessibleand useful.— GoogleFacebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.— Facebook“”“”“”

Fcommon groundPain, Loss, and DisadvantageFailure to comply with censorship laws will result in: • breaking Chinese laws • licenses being revoked • blockage of services and supportNot participating in the Chinese market preventstechnology companies from fulfilling their mission of providing services to people from all over the world.

FcontradictionsShareholder vs. StakeholderDecision-making involves determining whether an action is good for the future and growth of the company. Corporations have a responsibility to generate returns and profits for shareholders. On the other hand, they also have a responsibility towards the larger community and have been charged to value human rights.

FcontradictionsShareholder vs. StakeholderBusinesses seek to innovate and expand their operations overseas. From a Global Business perspective, this requires complying with local laws, customs, and expectations. From a Business Ethics perspective, however, compliance is dependent on the impact on society and its effect on the interests of those they serve.

FintegrationWeighing OptionsFrom the common assumption that all companies desire what is best for their interests: • When doing business in China, companies should weigh the benefits and costs from a rational perspective. • Any analysis of the situation should expand to take into consideration a company’s relationships with all stakeholders, not only shareholders.

FintegrationDefinitionsDefinitions for ‘good’ or ‘evil’ can be expanded to include not only profits or losses, but also social and ethical gains or disadvantages.

FconclusionMoral Compromise? Complying with local laws and regulations are an essential part of conducting business worldwide. Companies have a responsibility to acquiesce to the wishes of the government if they want to continue their operations in China.

FconclusionMoral Compromise? Chinese society certainly benefits from the ‘good’ of increased access to internet services. The ‘evil’ of helping in the obstruction of the free flow of information to citizens must be weighed against the alternative of providing no information at all.

references Augsburg, T. (2005). Trends in the 21st century interdisciplinary workplace. Becoming interdisciplinary: An introduction to interdisciplinary studies (2nd ed., pp. 155-158). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Beaumont, C. (2008, June 27). Bill Gates’ dream: A computer in every home. In The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3357701/Bill-Gatess-dream-A-computer-in-every-home.htmlBusiness Dictionary. (n.d.). Opportunity cost. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/opportunity-cost.htmlBusiness Dictionary. (n.d.). Rational choice theory. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/rational-choice-theory-RCT.htmlBusiness Dictionary. (n.d.). Utilitarianism. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/utilitarianism.htmlDunham, M. (2011). Assignment 1-5: Identifying a problem and justifying an interdisciplinary response. Retrieved from http://my.franklin.eduEncyclopedia of Business. (n.d.). Stakeholder Theory. Retrieved from http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Sel-Str/Stakeholder-Theory.html Reagan, G. (2009). The evolution of Facebook’s mission statement. In The New York Observer. Retrieved from http://www.observer.com/2009/media/evolution-facebooks-mission-statementGoldstein, J. S. (2007). Core principles of international relations theory. In International Relations (8th ed.). Retrieved from http://www.joshuagoldstein.com/jgcore.htmGoogle. (n.d.). Corporate information: Company. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/

photo creditsAllie, E. (2006, February 27). Cyber oppression. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={01B26A8E-76A6-47ED-AF11-37FB7A3C8FCA}Bohner, A. (2005, September 12). Censorship causes blindness. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/deia/42897463/Chappatte. (2006, February 17). Google censors itself in China. [Illustration]. In International Herald Tribune. Retrieved from http://public.globecartoon.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/globecartoon.woa/wa/dessin?id=1000290 Esquivel, A. (2011). Capitalismo sin libertad. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={C029CC0E-B0BA-451F-A5CE-FB4B01A869F6}Finneren, R. (2008, August 2). Chacha and Jingjing. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfinneren/2791017545/ Hoesly, P. (2010, February 2). 541 - pixelation texture. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/4325486266/J83.com. (2006, May 15). Google's censored Chinese search engine. [Illutration]. Retrieved from http://www.j83.com/print/pages/china-google.php Johansson, O. (2010, August 23). Second largest economy. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={D04B975B-1013-4660-B1ED-1E392C958761}Nath, P. (2010, January 15). China versus Google. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={19391F69-81D3-4A1D-9D6A-3015CBCE7071}Veneziani, V. (2009, June 8). China demands PC censorship. [Illustration]. Retrieved from http://www.gearfuse.com/china-demands-pc-censorship/ZDNet. (2006, July 19). Image: Jingjing and Chacha, China's cartoon censorship cops. Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/photos/image-jingjing-and-chacha-chinas-cartoon-censorship-cops/12766

Complex Problem: Censorship

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