Domain publishers collect information (gender, age, job field, interests, etc) to share with ad servers to give you ads that may be relevant to you. They may also use users’ IP address to find their …show more content…
The four components of ethical behavior are moral sensitivity, moral judgment, moral motivation, and moral character (Hackman & Johnson, 343-346). These components typically involve recognizing ethical problems and going about steps to implement action. The second component, moral judgment, is “deciding which action is the right to follow” (Hackman & Johnson, 345). Google has undoubtedly recognized that there is an ethical problem with the way they use their user’s information. However, they have not turned a blind eye and have not implemented action to resolve the ethical problem. This is poor ethical leadership, but changing could lead to the mighty search engine’s fall. Because their leadership success in the market is so dependent on these unethical procedures and programs Google can’t afford to be ethical …show more content…
They do this through the use of their laissez-faire style of leadership by allowing freedom, innovation, and a comfortable work environment to all employees. They also do this by changing the Google logo on their homepage every significant day and holiday. Though Google appears transparent, there is a side of Google that is hidden from the public. The extensive use of user’s information is what has made the search engine so successful. Cookies are placed onto a user’s computer every search and this tracks information and creates a profile on who they think that user is. This has allowed for more relevant searches for each person, but it has also brought on the extensive bombardment of targeted advertisements. We questioned if the giant search engine would be where they are today without being so invasive with user’s information and concluded through the example of trying to enter China’s market, probably not. Though Google has been an undeniable leader in the market, they have failed to be an ethical leader, which is shown through their disregard for user’s privacy of information. Exposing the dark side of Google allows users to be more informed and critical thinkers when using the search engine. Thinking critically allows for a shift in power from the all mighty search engine to the hands of each