Google in China

By Group 6
Manorath Rana
Chris Phillip
Shruthi Machurlu
Sheeba Solomon
Vijayanandan Unni
 Introduction
• Google is a web search engine which is,
committed in providing easy access to as much
information as possible.
• This commitment is in direct conflict with the
Chinese government’s goals.
• Google’s “mission statement” regarding free
and universal access to information is designed
not on some moral high ground, but rather, it is
designed to attain profit
• The company’s decision to move into China
was surely based on economic rather than on a
high-minded principle about free speech.
• Google, in effect, was attempting to impose
American cultural/capitalistic values upon
another country—one that has its own distinct
traditions and cultural values
• China is violating individual rights by
controlling/concealing information from its
public
 Question
1. Analyze Google’s strength and weakness in
China ? How can Google compete with local
service providers such as Baidu, etc.?
Strength :
• The company had established a Chinese-language
version of its search engine.
• The number of internet users in China accounts to
103 mil and in 2005, the estimates are that it went
up to to as high as 134 mil.
 Weakness :
• Government restrictions regarding access to
the certain websites, which were banned.
• Online shopping was not so popular China
which did not attract many advertisers.
• The citizens of China were restricted to access
to information and freedom of speech.
• Censoring the websites, Government monitoring
over the activities did not encourage growth of
Google.
• The company had to disclose their user
information when the Government requests for
the details.
• It did not provide wide range of entertainment
services such as e-mail, watch movies online,
games, etc.
• Opportunities :
It can provide other services such as e-mail,
other entertainment services.
It could provide more

• Threats :
Baidu, Yahoo.
Government restrictions.
 Competing with local service provider Baidu-
• As it already has an international brand name,
it must make itself popular among Chinese
citizens.
• It must also provide other services such as e-
mail, gaming, watch movies online, etc.
• It should be in good terms with the
government.
• It must provide news and services in relation
to China.
• It must use censors software in their systems.
 Question
2. From the Business perspective what are the
arguments for and against entering China ?
• Google should enter China as the population
grew from 0 to 103 mil, and the number keeps
growing. It covers around 11% of world’s
internet users.
• It already has a brand name internationally.
• Negotiation with the Government further
might loosen up the their restrictions.
• Online shopping is not so popular in China, by
concentrating on that service Google get revenue
through advertisements.
Google cannot enter China because:
• Threat from local service providers.
• Government restrictions on access to websites.
• Google provides only entertainment and news
services which are further controlled by the
government.
 Question
3. From the ethical perspective, what are the arguments
for and against entering China for Google?
Google announced its compliance to the Chinese
policy of censorship. Google has been criticized by
many as being hypocritical, adhering to China’s policy
at the beginning and not following the same at the end.
By over ruling the China’s government policy on
censorship Google has made an unethical move.

• .
• Google’s surrender to China’s demand while
simultaneously fighting against the U.S.
government for requesting similar information.
This is another unethical side of Google.
• China is now censoring some search queries
itself, thus diverting itself from the actual
policy, which is unethical move by China’s
government
 Question
4. What would you recommend Google and why
?
We would recommend Google to enter China,
and try to capture the market as it comes up to 11
% of the world’s internet users.
It can provide wide range of services, and try to
censor certain key words and websites.
It can maintain good relationship with Chinese
government, follow their rules and co operate
with them.
• Google can provide services relating to China,
try to build a closer relationship with the
people.
• It can provide services without disrupting the
Chinese tradition.