Blog 2- Google's Corporate Social Responsibly

Blog 2- GOOGLE’s Corporate Social Responsibility

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703956604576110332331598572.html?KEYWORDS=telecommunications

            I picked this article because it is interesting how Google responded to their crisis, which shows an aspect of their corporate social responsibility.  Google claims they had no intention for their satellites to pick up personal information such as e-mail addresses and passwords. Their spokeswoman openly apologized and informed the public that once they realized the Street View cars were picking up this data they terminated it while informing the authorities. This exemplifies how Google is willing to be honest and it is admirable that they have apologized for their mistake.

            The Federal Communications Commission is currently probing whether or not Google broke public law.   However, the Federal Trade Commission ended its probing saying that Google has taken sufficient steps to prevent a reoccurrence. Nevertheless, in other counties Google is facing probing for collecting this data. Even though Google does not openly admit to breaking U.S. law, they understand how their mistake from the software collecting private data is negatively affecting the company by not allowing a subpoena to hand over the collected information. This unwillingness to fully corporate makes me question how much they are willing to follow their corporate social responsibility. As of now they need to regain the trust of many countries as well as the trust of the users by enhancing this corporate responsibility. I wonder is an apology enough for the users to regain their trust within the company? In my personal opinion, how they responded immediately to their crisis shows they are following their corporate responsibility but they need to do more to regain the trust of the users to ensure this will never happen again.

-Rachel

“Egypt Shuts Down Internet, Cellphone Services”

Blog No.2

Corporate Social Responsibility

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703956604576110453371369740.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEADSecond

http://www.vodafone-us.com/about.html

Along with the rising protest against Mubarak’s rule in Egypt, the Egyptian government took an “unprecedented step of severing all Internet connections and shutting down its cellphone services – with the cooperation of international firms.”

Vodafone Group PLC, one of the largest mobile carriers in Egypt and Telecom Egypt shut down “the whole Internet down” on Thursday night 27, January. It is not the first time in recent history other countries such as Myanmar, Iran and China have clamped down on Internet access and cellphone use. However, landlines remained open in Egypt.

Not surprisingly, social-media websites including Facebook and Twitter were also shut down to prevent any external communications. It is one measure that the Egyptian authorities had taken to calm down or settle down the crazy protests; in fact, since the internet connects and updates the latest information in the world, the government sought necessary to close down its communication means.

Personally, the mobile carriers should take their corporate social responsibility in providing the correct and reliable information to the Egyptian community and its neighbouring countries. Globally, Egyptians, who are living overseas, are eager to know the current crises that are happening now. They are concerned with Egypt’s political and economical issues, thus it is crucial for Egypt’s largest mobile carriers to fight against the government and to release the most accurate news. Publishing news hence becomes one of the significantly important corporate social responsibilities for the mobile carriers in the telecommunications industry.

Moreover, Vodafone’s mission statement clearly states, “The Foundation is driven by a Passion for the World Around Us. We make grants that help people in our communities and around the world lead fuller lives.” Therefore, Vodafone should be proactive in providing the true information we are granting for and Vodafone has the responsibility in achieving their goal.

Miki Ishibashi

“Who Will Benefit From Mobile Network Portability?”

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/01/20/who-will-benefit-from-mobile-number-portability/?KEYWORDS=telecommunication

This telecommunication article that appears on WSJ is about how mobile phones users are going to be able to switch mobile networks without changing their numbers.

The procedure for changing from one mobile network to another is really simple. costumers would just need to send an sms with their mobile network to 1900 and then, they’ll receive their unique porting codes, with that code set they can continue with the normal changing process.

Many big companies are excited to collect more costumers, but are also afraid to lose them if small companies provide good promotions that can draw more the attention of their costumers.

I think companies are willing to take risks to play a bigger place in the telecommunications market. This competition between companies can make less important ethic issues.

I also think that companies trying to “steal” costumers from other companies is in part unethical. For example, publishing bad things or making bad comments from the rival company.

Blog Assignment 1

Slowdown in the number of 3G Users, Increasing Verizon Profits

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704698004576103673251177518.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

The latest news on the Wall Street Journal today was on one of the biggest phone carrier company, Verizon, Inc. Statistics shown by the Wall Street has indicated a decrease in the company’s total annual revenue. One of the reasons is due to the competition with AT&T, the other largest phone carrier companies in the country. Since it is such a craze now to use Apple products now that most of the customers are attracted to Iphone contracts provided by AT&T. Thus, leading to a decrease in the number of customers in signing smart phone contracts with Verizon, Inc. Because Internet is such a daily necessity for most of the people now, 3G phones and smartphones are the best choices for students, businessmen and women in the society.

True, if the competition between the nation’s largest phone carrier companies, we will benefit from the new policies and products they provide. Although America is still experiencing deflation, new products still seem attractive more to us. I think in this globalized world, if these two companies expand their markets to developing countries and contribute their efforts in making a better connected world, we will have more opportunities in understanding other cultures and customs and hence will have less ethical issues.

Miki

Vodafone-Essar telecommunication company

Blog Post #1:

BUSINESS ETHICS

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704754304576097053878551540.html?KEYWORDS=telecommunications

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703398504576099520413889678.html?KEYWORDS=telecommunications

         These Wall Street Journal articles on the telecommunications company Vodafone-Essar shows the difficulty for companies to agree and how making agreements may compromise ethics. Vodafone currently owns 67% of the company Vodafone-Essar while Essar Telecommunications Company owns 11% and Essar Communications Holdings 22%, giving Vodafone the majority. Vodafone-Essar is the third largest mobile phone company, and is growing rapidly.

         This article discusses the dilemma Vodafone-Essar is facing because Essar wants to merge with the Indian company, India Securities Ltd.. India has more than 700 million subscribers with continued constant growth; these facts make Essar believe India Securities Ltd. will be a good investment for the company as well as the stockholders. However, Vodafone opposes this merge saying “it is concerned that the value of India Securities after the merger could be misinterpreted as a fair market value of unlisted Vodafone-Essar” (pg1).  Essar replies to this statement saying they are fully compliant with all the Indian laws. Vodafone has taken the next step to ensure it will be an ethical decision to merge by asking the Securities and Exchange Board of India to investigate this proposed merger. Vodafone is being ethical by looking out for the public interest but also the interest of the company.

            I wonder was it unethical for a joint company to look for a possible merger without Vodafone ensuring the same desire to merge with an Indian mobile company? In my personal opinion, both articles show how Vodafone and Essar have been having a war of words; this aspect makes me question the reliability of the company to not being able to handle their problem in a joint effort. Nevertheless, It is admirable how Vodafone-Essar wants to investigate this possible merger to ensure it will be a wise as well as an ethical decision. -Rachel