All Articles About Information & Communications Technology

Blog: Google and China: When Should Business Leave on Human Rights Grounds?

By Aron Cramer, President and CEO, and Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, ICT Practice, BSR

With Google’s decision today to shut down its Chinese-based search engine, google.cn, the company has won considerable praise from organizations concerned about its human rights record. This approval stands in stark contrast to the condemnation the company received when first entering the country in 2006. The Financial Times cartoonist Ingram Pinn captured these contrasting perspectives perfectly, depicting Google as the speech-suppressing “Great Firewall of China” in 2006, then casting the company as the lone protestor stopping the tanks in their tracks in 2010. Read more →

Posted: March 22, 2010 | Topics: Conflict Minerals, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology

BSR Insight Article: Virtual Sustainability Summit Showcases Smart ICT

"Smart ICT" is the first in a groundbreaking virtual event series focusing on sustainability in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The event—co-sponsored by BSR—will feature an innovative format with virtual auditoriums for presentations, meeting rooms for networking, and an exhibit hall. International thought leaders, policymakers, advocacy groups, and experts will discuss concrete strategies on how the ICT sector can provide profitable opportunities and solutions to create a low-carbon society. Read more →

Posted: March 2, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Supply Chain, Transportation

BSR Insight Article: Comparing Like with Like: Privacy, Security, and Content Issues in Corporate Responsibility Reporting

Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services

The world today is increasingly dependent on all-pervasive networks provided by the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Commonplace tasks, such as placing a phone call, making airline reservations, or banking via the internet are all built on extensive flows of information and supported by vast ICT infrastructures. The rapid expansion of bandwidth, and the resulting growth of social networking have dramatically increased the social, political, and economic significance of user-generated content. Read more →

Posted: March 2, 2010 | Topics: Information & Communications Technology, Reporting & Communications

BSR Insight Article: Responses to Google’s Move in China

Following Google's decision last month to reconsider its presence in China due to concerns about human rights infringements related to security, privacy, and free expression, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre collected a selection of commentaries and articles on the subject from NGOs, the media, and others. Below is a sample of those responses. Read more →

Posted: February 23, 2010 | Topics: Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology

BSR Insight Article: Should You Stay or Should You Go? What’s the ‘Right’ Decision on Entering or Leaving a Market?

Aron Cramer, President and CEO Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services

Google’s recent announcement to reconsider its business in China has won considerable praise from organizations concerned about the country’s human rights record. This approval stands in stark contrast to the condemnation the company received when first entering the country in 2006. The Financial Times cartoonist Ingram Pinn captured these contrasting perspectives perfectly, depicting Google as the speech-suppressing “Great Firewall of China” in 2006, then casting the company as the lone protestor stopping the tanks in their tracks in 2010. Read more →

Posted: February 23, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Conflict Minerals, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology