Business Ethics Protection of Stakeholders

Question: Discuss about theBusiness Ethicsfor Protection of Stakeholders. Answer: Introduction: The inventors of Google- Sergey Brin and Larry Page started out with the development of BackRub, a search engine, which later graduated to become the worlds largest online search engine company. In this context, it is pertinent to mention that since Google provides information to the end users free of cost, it has to strike balance between protection of privacy and information security with generation of profit. Protection of Stakeholders: Being the largest search engine globally, Google has a tremendous responsibility in securing the interests of its stakeholders, who contribute in a significant manner to the development and growth of the company as a whole (Hartman et al. 2014). While inputting the search criteria, the data privacy and information security of the user remains at stake as Google uses the same for generating advertising revenue after collating the behavior and search pattern data of its users. It has the responsibility of protecting the rights of its employees, the users, investors, advertisers, governments and communities. The employees are the most important wheels of Google, as it is with their innovative skills and abilities, coupled with dedication and honesty; the company has been able to reach the position where it is now. The employees enjoy various facilities and freebies on site, like day care, play arena among others, which perk them up in discharging their duties (Hoepman 2014). Users play a vital role in enabling the company to grow both horizontally and vertically as it is these users, who have popularized the search engine with their vast usage. Riding on this success, Google has established itself in both developed and developing nations alike. Privacy and protection of data of the users is of utmost importance, without which the success wont be long lasting, as several persons like publishers and authors have accused the company of data infringement and copyright violation. Advertisers play a crucial role since the bulk of revenue earned by Google is generated through the advertisement route. The companys corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities are mainly channeled through these advertising platforms, which provide a quality base for the same (Kolk 2016). Since the time it went public in 2004, the driving force behind Google are the investors, who are given that much importance as the employees of the company (Kshetri 2014). Like every other company operating in a country, Google too has to abide by the set rules and guidelines with regard to operations and other fiduciary duties and obligations. It has to implement certain policies, which go along with the governments regarding data protection and privacy. Google is involved in several community services through its CSR arm. Through Google.org, the firm has committed $100 million towards health, poverty alleviation, and climate change among others (Kuchinke 2016). Balancing Privacy with Profit: Being the largest search engine company in the world, the company faces various sorts of challenges in the form of lawsuits and allegations over data protection and information security. It has encountered many cases filed by publishers and artistes over copyright violation of their published articles. In view of this, the European Union has framed stricter laws and guidelines for protection of its users data. Regulatory Effect on Googles Operations: In light of several complaints from the users, different governments have proposed and amended their existing rules and regulations, which have forced the company to toe the line of the respective governments (Martin, Borah and Palmatier 2017). Since protection and privacy are supreme, Google is trying to cooperate with the regulatory authorities in such a way, so as not to stifle the freedom of expression and compromise with its flexibility of dissipating information. Conclusion: In view of the above discussion, it can be inferred that, the company which germinated from a small garage has transformed into becoming the largest online information provider to its end users free of cost. While conducting its operations, it has faced challenges and lawsuits over data protection and information security, but the company has also devised some defense mechanisms to plug the loopholes through cooperation and better corporate governance. 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