Google is one of the most influential companies in the world when it comes to

information, knowledge and economic power that no other company has what it takes at
this period of time.

Google has one of the largest databases in the world when it comes to information
power. By using internet and mobile devices, Google provides a big database of
information from more than 4.5 million people around the world that includes
geographical information, age, gender, and internet searches. It also provides database
information for all the internet content such as words, topics, web pages and websites.
Google used all this information to sell search and display advertising to companies all
around the world, without exhibiting personal information, taking care of the privacy of
every internet and mobile user.

Google implements the authority of this power by assigning job positions to their
employees in the organization. Furthermore, the company’s CEO also takes the
responsibility by observing the progress of its employees among job requirements and
takes corrective actions either through reward systems by giving out promotions or
coercive systems by giving out punishments. Google’s CEO also implements this power
by taking charge of the rules and procedures of the whole company.

Another personal power that is adapted by Google is referent power. Google

treats their employees as family in hoping that their employees will feel the same about
each other in the organization. This type of communication method can be categorized as
personal appeals influencing tactics where it allows the company to gain personal
connections which enables them to acquire the respect and trust from employees.

The National Labor Relations Board has ordered Google to remind employees
that it’s within their rights to openly debate political and workplace issues. The action
came as a result of federal regulators reaching an agreement on a proposed settlement on
employee complaints that the company restricts free speech, a Google spokesperson said.
The settlement, which was approved by an agency director this week, follows Google’s
issuing of revised community guidelines that are meant to crack down on what
employees can say inside the company.

Last 2019, Google released a new set of community guidelines that discourage
employees from talking about politics on Google’s internal mailing lists in forums. The
rules also bar employees from making statements that “insult, demean or humiliate” other
employees or Google's extended workforce.
 Google has historically fostered a culture of free speech and debate inside the
company, with employees often getting into heated conversations about political and
social issues. This has led to extensive debates inside the company about what the limits
of free speech should be. Many current and former Google employees have spoken out
publicly about the issue.

One complaint was filed by ex-Google engineer Kevin Cernekee, who claims he
was fired for expressing conservative views. But according to Google, Cernekee was
fired for violating multiple company policies, including using a personal device to
download company documents. In his complaint, Cernekee asked to be reinstated at the
company, but the settlement terms don’t guarantee that, according to the Journal.

Another complaint was submitted by a current Google employee who claims he

was punished over posting negative opinions about a top Google executive on Facebook,
the Journal said.

In a Google performance review, employees and managers work together to

decide which peers should give feedback. Also, Google asks for peer feedback on only
strengths, weaknesses, and contributions to specific projects. And for self-evaluations, the
company chooses criteria that are less obvious. For example, Google evaluates presence
(the ability to make yourself heard in a noisy organization) and thought leadership (how
often other employees defer to you as an expert).