Google: Dealing with China
Group 1 - What major pros and cons are there, regarding alternatives for addressing issues/opportunities?
Some of the major pro’s that may be present while addressing issues and opportunities is that it may force individuals to think of alternative methods to conduct their business. Some of the advantages of coming up with new ideas is that it can also lead to new opportunities that may not have presented themselves had they not been forced to confront something that was atypical to begin with. Issues and opportunities often go hand-in-hand and is one of the primary precursors for entrepreneurs to begin their own business – identify an issue, or a need, and present a solution which results in an opportunity to sell or market their idea to resolve the need or issue of a potential customer or client.
Additionally, there are con’s when being confronted with issues and opportunities when alternatives are the only means to resolve the issue. Sometimes, the alternatives may jeopardize the company’s moral or ethics or even run contrary to their corporate motto, such as in the case of Google’s corporate model of “Don’t be Evil”. Unfortunately, their corporate motto, and their culture is in direct opposition to that of the China’s government when it pertains to internet usage, search results and disclosure of personally identifiable information. As a result, Google in China has had to define what it means to not be evil, while still attempting to remain relevant to their Chinese market.
Let me ask you to be a bit more specific, but briefly answer.
What might be the pros and cons of FOR China for business reasons or ethical reasons.
What might be the pros and cons of FOR NOT ENTERING China for business reasons or ethical reasons.
You do not need to recommend at his stage. We are just looking for some critical thinking pros and cons.
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Group 2 - What recommendations(s) would you make, regarding Google moving forth, and why?
"Don't be EVIL" an interesting motto for any modern company, let alone a company who offers the ability for users across the globe to access anything from how to start a church plant (term used to describe the branching off of a large church body to start new churches in locations of need) to how to make a weapon of mass destruction.
At first with the cases assigned I notice myself compelled to answer based on personal convections or values gain from begin raised in a small town in Southern Alabama. For the answering of weather to move forward with more extensive operations in China, I will look mainly to the financial explication of this move. What would be involved? What would it cost?
You can't start the discussion of moving forward until the issues of government censorship has been addressed. The cost of complying to these regulations alone would destroy even the largest of companies. Potential gains, what are the projected increases in incremental marketing revenues? This article stated a small fraction of Chinese users shop online? Will there be a demand for advertising?
My recommendation is to take it slow, maybe continue at first with outside servers and move to internal as time passes. Then like Apple does so well do updates and releases that address issues such as dead links and time outs as the show up. They are already a powerhouse with a great future, why Jeopardize that for one country?
That recommedation of "sitting back" and waiting may not be the perfect one. But "doing no harm" right now seems valid.
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Group 3 - Describe the main issues and/or opportunities facing Google, regarding China, in this case.
The two main issues are derived from Google wanting to best serve their end user. The company has stood by the goals they have set forth, the issue they have struggled with is which of the two options will best benefit their users. The company wants to provide services and expand their market into China, but the double edged sword is that if they do they are liable to expose user privacy to the government. This in turn takes away the users rights and restricts the freedoms Google tries to hard to foster. The want to "do no evil", but depending how you define both options each could be evil. Do they take away freedoms or service, which in itself is a freedom. Either way Google would be restricting the users freedom and they are unsure what step to take. After seeing the trap Yahoo fell into, I think it has added an extra degree of caution to Google's actions and choices.
This may be an unpopular opportunity, but since Google is getting such poor rating and response from China this may be an excellent opportunity to work against the governments regime and help give freedom to the people through Googles multitude of resources. This could foster international goodwill, increase their CSR and potentially earn them increased revenues.

Google is losing market share because of the bad internet connection service. The citizens of China want to haveaccess to the internet at all time. Google competition, Baidu was use by mostly younger students for entertainment, not business. Google tried to laumched a Chinese language version but everytime they tried to connect in China it always ended with error messages.
Good points, Ryan, But wouldn't you agree that the #1 issue and opportunity be the sheer scope of the potential Chinese market for internet?
Agree that those are serious glitches, but the first thread question goes to big picture of issues and opportunities. Doesn't Google's foremost quest have to be figuring out how to get going in China. And what, if done right could be the world's largest market for Google? Along the way, you could address how Google might potentially do some good for Chinese consumers looking to the outside world?
I do not believe internet connectivity to be the issue. It is the governments firewall that is causing service interuption. Google does not control access to the internet, they are attempting to increase the public control of information accessible through the internet. I think Google's CSR and corporate culture will play a large role in how they proceed. Google just completely reformatted its user privacy program in order to ensure its consumer safety. I do believe that they will continue to explore the Chinese market due to its sheer size and opportunity, but I do not believe Google will act outside of the interest of its end user, which is stated in the article. Chinas market is huge but as Deena stated, the internet is not current a business tool but an entertainment playgroud. Social Cultures are setting some of these parameters and Google does not have the ability to change how a nation operates. I do believe they can achieve business growth, but it will be a slow and steady climb.
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Group 4 - What assumptions are needed (if any) to enable a solid case analysis?
Some assumptions that should be made to enable a solid case analysis is that China will gradually continue to allow increased access to general topics that they determine should be made accessible to their citizen; although done in a still censored format. In the same sense it should be assumed that China will not ever allow totally a free and uncensored internet. I think it should also be assumed that Google will never be as popular as sites that offer the gaming components, tv, and movie content. This is because Google is not in the business of offering these items and because of the restrictions by the Chinese government and the risk Chinese citizens are unwilling to take to search for unauthorized content, Google will never be able to become a top player in China. The assumption here is that China’s goals and Google’s goals don’t match up and one is going to be forced to back down; that will most likely be Google. Another assumption to be made is that an organization has to be willing to do whatever it is that China asks in order to do business within its borders. Google stands for free and uncensored speech and finds themselves in a moral predicament to bow to this country’s requests.
Good Work! You covered the topic well. Could we make the asumption that if, the issues you bring up are miraculously changed for the better, percieved poor service issues would be rapidly mitigated by Google?
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Group 5 - What alternatives should be considered by Google, regarding main issues/opportunities?
With a population of 1.3 billion, pulling out of China is not an option for Google. China is second only to the United States in internet users and this will be a continued opportunity for Google. Whether or not it will prove a smart business move to stay in China may take a long time and a large investment, but Google has very deep pockets and will ride this out as they try to find new ways to penetrate China. Increasing pressure from social media outlets and competition here in the U.S. are another reason Google should pursue the China market.
Will China’s economic growth lead to the eventual enlightenment of the Chinese people? It appears that China is in a period of Internet prohibition. Although the Chinese government has been developing better firewalls the Internet activist will continue to counter and grow. Just like the competition in the global economy, China will see threats from abroad to their Internet policing. Google should continue to develop their product and hold onto their current market share to be better positioned when opportunities arise. Competition in China is tough but it seems limited mainly to Baidu. The challenges of government regulation are an issue everywhere, not excluding even the U.S., as we just saw the proposed regulation of SOPA and PIPA in the news.
The issue of the Google product name and product perception in China needs to be further investigated. Google should consider re-branding the product at a time when the appropriate improvements/changes are made. Google needs to better understand the Chinese customer. Will the advertising dollars in China be there in the future for Google is the biggest question as this drives their business? China's economy has exploded and one would think with the growth of opportunities and wealth of the Chinese people increasing it would lead to a more consumer driven marketplace in the near future.
The “Don’t be evil” motto of Google seems to have many shades of grey. Is this motto an issue and does it affect how Google conducts business here and abroad? I suppose it depends how you define evil. Google is working to make information available to all. That includes all your own personal activity and many see that as evil and an invasion of privacy. This is however, the information that Google makes available to the paid advertisers and it helps Google shape their product to fit your needs as defined by your tracked use. I hardly see trying to outwit an oppressive communist government being viewed as evil and I expect Google will push the limits of the Chinese government. Look no further than Google's founder Sergey Brin, who immigrated from a communist country, and the philosophy of Google to make information available to all.
Well done. Is there an alternative of "sitting back" and waiting - just writing China business out of the financials for now? Or. is there an altenative of Google agreeing with Chinese Censorship for now. ( I don't mean to ask you recommend anything at this thread, but are they not are altenatives?)
I probably should have elaborated in this area but one would assume Google is working with the Chinese government to learn as much as they can about how to work with them. I know from personal experience that Google faces many roadblocks from governments around the globe when it comes to their Google Earth imaging. Relationships and contacts are built with these governments, eventually putting the pieces in place to allow Google to proceed. Japan is an excellent example where Google was not let in to map until Japan agreed the imaging was beneficial for the tsunami disaster recovery effort.