Business Ethics Dilemma

The Internet today is a major resource and tool for many people. Computers have been around since the 1950s’. However, the popularity of computers didn’t take off until the 1990s’. Many businesses today market, promote, and have their own website. This is important as it serves as avenue of business to promote their products, sell their services to their customers, and continuously inform the public on their performance. The Internet also provides various search engines in 2011 with popular search engines such as Yahoo, MSN, Google, and newer search engines such as (Microsoft) Bing.This paper will ssummarize and analyze the ethical dilemma between Google and (Microsoft) Bing search engines. In addition, discuss why the behavior is unethical and the impact it has on the organization. It will also include the theory of ethics that explains the unethical behavior and suggest ways to improve the behavior to avoid the problems in the future. Internet When did the Inte rnet start? Back in the early 1960s’, ARPANET was created by many sophisticated engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians.The ARPANET design allowed computers to connect, run on different operating systems, and without ARPANET, the Internet wouldn't look or behave the way it does today, it may not even exist. As technology advanced technicians began making advancements with combing the ARPANET network to the Satellite Network (SATNET). The technical term for the connection between the networks is inter-networking or better known today for many as the Internet. In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee developed a system designed to simplify navigation on the Internet which became known as the World Wide Web.As the years went by, and as the technology advanced so did the internet search engines. Microsoft's full scale entry into the browser, server, and Internet Service Provider market completed the major shift over to a commercially based Internet. Google vs. (Microsoft) Bing On Febr uary 3rd, 2011 the Harvard Business Review has reported that, â€Å"Google has sparked a media uproar by alleging that Bing â€Å"copies† Google results and Bing unequivocally has denied it. According to the article, when user’s search information through the Bing toolbar the user’s browser sends information to Microsoft to collect data, track information and watch to analyze behavior patterns. The Harvard Business Review article also has reported the following, â€Å"Google staged a setup for gibberish search terms Google made up which caused the search engine to serve up random pages Google selected arbitrarily. Then Google told its employees to run Google searches for these gibberish terms, and to click the artificial results Google had inserted.The employees did this on computers running the Bing Toolbar and IE Related Sites, so their click patterns were sent to Microsoft just as Microsoft's privacy policy and other disclosures said they would be. Microsof t used this data to improve its search results to present in Bing results the links these users seemed to favor, again just as Microsoft said it would. † Google is making an allegation that (Microsoft) Bing has copied their search results process through the use of the toolbar functionality.According to the Harvard Business Review article, â€Å"Microsoft received user permission for these observations and information about users' click patterns is users' information not Google's. † In a post at WebmasterWorld, Google's Matt Cutts, wrote as follows, â€Å"It's my personal, unofficial belief that using toolbar data in the future to augment our crawl is not only a good idea, but specifically allowed by the original policies we posted. † Ethical DilemmaThe dilemma here is that Google is not practicing in an ethical manner as their organization is making an allegation that Bing is infringing on their toolbar process and tracking user patterns is not appropriate. Base d on the Harvard Business review Matt Cutts further said: â€Å"A good idea,† when using this method but now that Microsoft uses this very approach, suddenly Google argues it's improper. Microsoft – Bing has the same right to use this method to track information and based on the Google Toolbar Privacy Policy it is disclosed that Google reserves the right to track and use pattern information to enhance their search engine.Conclusion Based on the information in the Harvard Business Review article, Google has violated the ethical code of customer confidence. This is due the fact that Google is operating in the same fashion as Bing by monitoring activity searches through its toolbar portal to enhance the information that it is displayed through their website. This affects the employees of Google because the corporation is making a false claim, and this may leave a negative feeling with employees because the organization may not be completely clear with it s full disclosure policies.Google could have been prevented these false claims by having an internal compliance team conduct research and with their findings could have advised Google on a better approach to address competition efforts from (Microsoft) Bing. This reinforces the purpose of having a code of ethics within an organization and that every employee of all levels abides by it.ReferencesInternet. (2011). When did it start. (2011). Retrieved on February the 6th, 2011 from: http://computer. howstuffworks. om/internet/basics/internet-start. htm Harvard Business Review. (2011). Google Policy. (2011). Retrieved on February 6th, 2011, from: http://www. webmasterworld. com/forum80/21-1-30. htm Internet. (2011). Internet History. (2011). Retrieved on February 6th, 2011, from: http://www. walthowe. com/navnet/history. html Ethical Dilemma. (2011). Google vs. Bing. (2011). Retrieved on February 6th, 2011 from: http://www. businessweek. com/managing/content/feb2011/ca2011024_853469. htm

American Cars and Foreign Cars

American cars are now almost living. A car owned by a person shows the world what type of person they are. Most of these cars are the top ten car companies that dominate the automobile market. There are more than 250 million cars on the US road. Five of the ten car brands are American brands. For its incredible safety and reliability, unique style, support for the same or higher fuel economy and work in the United States, more people should buy American cars. American cars are stronger and more reliable than foreign cars. Another comparable difference between the US and foreign cars is performance. As we all know, American cars have bigger engines, which makes cars feel a way of driving. Unlike American cars, most foreign cars have a small but complicated engine to improve the reaction of driving cars. Regardless of whether the car is an American car or a foreign car, the engineering design of foreign cars made for performance is more complicated than most American cars. In contrast, the components of each type of car are similar, but foreign car seems to have a more sophisticated component system with better performance in handling, acceleration and braking. In terms of distinguishing performance, foreign cars have higher standards than American-made cars. From an American point of view, foreign cars are more expensive than similar cars in America. The most obvious answer is that foreign cars are being imported, so the retail price must be higher. This is true in almost all cases, but by contrast foreign cars are more valuable than American cars. The explanation of the difference in value may be that the quality of a foreign car is better than that of an American. Repair and maintenance of each type of car is directly related to value. Using general logic, expensive cars can be said to cost more as cars are repaired. In most cases, unless most foreign cars are of better quality, they are unlikely to need repair like an American car. Obviously foreign cars are more expensive and more valuable than American cars.

Financial Analysis of Bahrain Mari. & Mer. Inter.Co Assignment

Financial Analysis of Bahrain Mari. & Mer. Inter.Co - Assignment Example Bahrain Mari. & Mer. Inter.Co Company Profile: Bahrain Mari & Mer Inter co. is also known as BMMI in Bahrain stock market. BMMI principal activities are whole selling and retailing of food, beverages and other consumable items. Company also provides services in shipping. BMMI's headquarter is located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and with international operations spanning three continents, BMMI is a diversified retail and distribution, and contract services and supply group, supported by a world class integrated logistics capability. BMMI is one of the fastest growing companies in the list of the companies which are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange. BMMI has an annual turnover in excess of US$ 230 million. Company adopts a costumer focus business approach and follows the international standards and global best practices. BMMI Group now has a presence in seven countries across three continents of the world, and has staff comprising people of 30 different nationalities. BMMI operates core business area. The group has owns and operates a chain of Supermarkets in Bahrain, which enjoy a reputation for delivering fast and offering fresh, quality products. BMMI also provide the some other services like remote site and facilities management, contract supply, packed meals and beverage distribution. Financial Analysis of Bahrain Mari. & Mer. Inter.Co. Note: All Accounts' figures have been form BMMI financial statements of three years. Profitability Ratios Liquidity and leverage Ratios: Year 2011 2009 2008 Equity attributable to shareholders' to total assets (%) 78.02 77.27 64.59 Total liabilities to total Equity attributable to shareholders' (times) 0.28 0.29 0.54 Current ratio (times) 3.03 2.80 1.72 Quick ratio (time) 2.32 2.04 1.03 Financial performance: Note: All Accounts' figures have been form BMMI financial statements of three years. It is clear that the recent financial performance of BMMI Co has been good. Total sales revenues are strong at BD 84.8 million despi te a slight decrease compared to BD 87.2 million in 2009. However, According to financial statements of the company the net profit of BD 9.2 million was the fourth highest in the Group’s history, while shareholders’ funds increased to BD 48 million, up seven per cent over 2009. There are also several positive signs. BMMI Co. has not made losses in any of the last three years. There is an impressive increase in liquidity position, with cash and short-term deposits increasing to BD 12.9 million from BD 12 million in 2009. On the side the value of total assets also increased 5.9%. Financial Position: According to the financial statements of the company total operating profit is increased to BD 8.9 million from BD 8.7 million which is the indication of lower selling and distribution expenses. Total assets also increased from BD 57.8 million in 2009 to BD 61.2 million in 2010, due to increases in property, plant and equipment and trade receivables. Earning per share has als o increase .079 to .080. On the other side he underlying net profit and revenue strength of businesses must be highlighted, but this factor can not effect on the company's performance because company strongly capitalized, highly liquid, unleveraged and conservative towards investments. It is clear that with the presence of recessionary pressures from suppliers and customers BMMI has successfully increased its Gross profit margin to 26 per cent. It is the symbol that the company is focusing on primary functions in efficient manner. Investment portfolio can be seen in healthy position but on the other side some devaluation of investments and provision against losses can be seen in BMMI statements. According to BMMI's chairman this is due to the impairments against some losses and further improvement is expected in 2011 as markets continue to recover. Shareholder wealth: Shareholders’ funds increased to BD 48 million, up seven per cent over 2009. This clearly states that BMMI Co has been increasing the

The educator as a public intellectual Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The educator as a public intellectual - Essay Example In principle, teachers are the second guide and protector after the parent. Significantly, they mold the child by introducing him/her to the foundations of education and making the student conversant with how to interact with others. Similarly, teachers’ contributions to society are by molding and developing the future generation in accordance with the social and cultural structures of the given community. For instance, it is the role of teachers to provide moral and intellectual leadership to the youth by preparing them to be critical thinkers and active citizens in society. Significantly, life is a journey encompassing experience and knowledge gained. Therefore, one meets individuals who build their characters and adds some benefits to their lives as a whole. For instance, too many people in Baltimore Mr. Jim Beglin are nothing short of a public intellectual. Furthermore, being a sociology teacher Mr. Beglin has been able to enlighten the students on the need for better social behavior, planning, and political consciousness. Therefore, with Mr. Beglin as their educator students at Bishop Walsh School have been able to quench their thirst for knowledge while at the same time get to be influenced by right living subscribing to the conscious doctrine of life. Mr. Beglin subscribes to the philosophy of integrity, and hard work pays off. In essence, by equipping and always reminding his students of the need to be true to themselves and only rely on what one has worked for has improved the students’ behavior and attitude to an admirable level. Therefore, through motivating his students and assuring them of the significant benefits that accrue to an individual, who strives to earn and live on his/her sweat. Significantly, this doctrine has been spread to how the students carry themselves and act in society, hence influencing even more members of the community. In principle, Mr. Beglin noting the need to educate more people in Baltimore, he started hosting

2.Discuss the work of a medieval composer. Examine what is known (and Essay

2.Discuss the work of a medieval composer. Examine what is known (and what is not known) about the specific details of the composers life and what is known a - Essay Example In 1098, a tenth child was born to two wealthy members ÃŽ ¿f the nobility, Hildebert and Mechtilde, in Bockelheim, Germany. This child, a daughter, was given to the Church as a tax, and became Saint Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen, a composer, visionary, healer and author ÃŽ ¿f major theological works. In the 12th century, Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen was one ÃŽ ¿f very few female composers, and also part ÃŽ ¿f a small minority ÃŽ ¿f medieval women who could even read or write. Her visions and instruction from God were initially questioned, and she met difficulty in making many ÃŽ ¿f her visions’ instructions into reality. Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen spent her life constantly defending the validity ÃŽ ¿f her visions, while gaining a form ÃŽ ¿f fame within the western world, which was rare for a woman in that time. Although many ÃŽ ¿f her strictly literary works reinforce many traditional beliefs ÃŽ ¿f the church, her music itself, in its lyrics and actual melodic construction embodies many different, even liberal ideas and images. By studying her life, accomplishments, compositions and other works, it is clear that Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen broke many patriarchal norms within her society, and saw recognition for her work beyond that ÃŽ ¿f any other women ÃŽ ¿f her time. When Hildegard was given to the church at the age ÃŽ ¿f eight, partially because she was the tenth child which was also known as the â€Å"tithe† child for wealthy families, and was usually given to the church. Also, she was sickly in health from a very young age, and also recalls having visions at an early age, mainly a vision ÃŽ ¿f an inexplicably bright light at the age ÃŽ ¿f three. Giving a child to the church as a tax was also a respectable way for noble families to deal with physically or mentally ill children, which is quite possibly how her explanations ÃŽ ¿f her early visions may have sounded to her parents. Likely because ÃŽ ¿f those experiences at such a

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 124

Summary - Essay Example The banker contradicts the peasant’s judgment on the state, he or she judges the government based on a future goal that it works towards realizing. Economics manipulates and dictate the political behavior. Administrations lose supporters in seasons of hard times while a massive gain of the supporters seen in good times. The two models involving both retrospective and prospective of the index of consumer sentiment as contradicting variables between economic conditions and approval, it is found out that the probable component adequately accounts for the presidential approval time series. The next article voting successfully addresses an average voter as one who falls far short of the prescriptions of classic autonomous hypothesis in terms of interest, facts, and participation in politics. The authors suggest a more realistic standard involving the citizens fulfilling their democratic duties by voting correctly. Five decades of behavioral research in political science reveals that only a tiny marginal of the citizens in any democracy live up to the lines and goals of democracy. Interests in politics become generally weak, political discussions limited and political knowledge is diminishing. The result leads to the majority of American citizens not participating actively in politics beyond voting. The determination of voters on their correct vote choices can be predicted reasonably well using the widely available survey data. The authors illustrate how the prediction can help in determining the proportion of the voters voting correctly, which they calculate at about 7 5 percent for the five US presidential elections between 1972 and 1988. The third article is a decisive study of voting in America and talks about the American voter. Michigan model is a theory formulated on voter choice. Based on all-inclusive studies of election study data in America, most voters cast their ballots

What is the Taboo Thesis The works of Gorer, Walter, Moller and Cline Essay

What is the Taboo Thesis The works of Gorer, Walter, Moller and Cline - Essay Example This phobia against death has made people avoid discussing death in public and today it has become a taboo, like pornography was in the medieval ages. Sociologists and thinkers such as Gorer, Moller and Cline have studied the subject in great detail with solid research and study and have recognized the changed behavior of people towards death. Instead of accepting its existence and getting on with the reality that we have to leave this world one day, people deny death and this is reflected in their behavior towards death rituals and gatherings. Discussing about death or the deceased person is considered to be strange in the society. People that talk of death or the deceased people face prudery at the hands of their social environment. And thus death has become a taboo, something not worth talking about. The scenario was not alike in the past; in fact this is a modern day development. This transition in the reactions of people with respect to death, as noted, studied and explained by Gorer and his proponents is known as Taboo Thesis. In this paper discussion will be made on the following thesis statement, â€Å"Death, today, is treated as a fearsome, alien phenomena and has become a taboo, with lesser and lesser people concerned about it. â€Å" Contribution from Gorer Geoffrey Gorer, born in 1905, was a renowned English Anthropologist. He spent his life in understanding the nature of humans and how do they get along with different variation in their lives. One of his greatest contributions to the field of Sociology is his work and research on the notion of death, the transition that it has been through the ages and its prevalent status in the current world order, categorically UK. Very interestingly Gorer compares the treatment of death in the modern society with that of the notion of pornography in the Victorian Era. This creative and analytical thinking ability of Gorer made him stand out of other thinkers and anthropologists and thus his work has become ex ceedingly significant for socialists in order to expand their horizons of study on death or other related areas (Gorer 1955). Gorer compares the treatment of the notion of pornography in the Victorian era with that of the treatment of death in the contemporary world. In the Victorian era pornography was considered to be a highly intimate affair and discussion in public was considered to be an â€Å"eye-brow† raising issue that would lead to prudery in the society if projected. Gorer does not approve of such reactions as he believes that copulation and sex are issues known to people in general so veiling them does not make a lot of sense as people tend to speak about issues that they are aware of, so the same must hold true for pornography as well. This argument is aesthetically forwarded by Gorer regarding death and reaction of people to it in the contemporary world. Gorer opines that death is as big a truth in life as life itself, but today people try to evade from its exist ence in a manner that is similar to the Victorian era where people avoided sex and obscenity related discussions in public. Gorer believes that the society is distancing itself from the acceptance of a universal fact and truth and perhaps this is something that one would agree with as well (Gorer 1955). A contemporary example Let’s consider the Somalian drought, termed as the â€Å"worst humanitarian crisis† by the UN. It is on the verge of engulfing the lives of more than 700,000 humans in the months to come. This drought has shown the real face of humans to them, but it is such a pity that we still don’t care. No matter how steep the death toll is, no matter how severe a disaster is we just continue living