Apple Inc. versus Google Inc.

Code of Conduct
Apple Inc. and Google Inc. are 2 companies that are specialized in computers and
in technology innovation in general. Both companies compete towered gaining more
customers and making more money via quality services, innovation and marketing.
Therefore, both companies hire many employees specialized in engineering and
technology, and both companies have created a code of conduct that helps
maintaining the relations between the employee, the company and other parties.
This paper discusses the similarities and differences between the codes of conduct
of each company.
Looking at the code of conduct of Apple Inc. and Google Inc. we find that there are
a lot of similarities and also differences. These similarities are due to the fact that
both companies are on technology and innovation field. The code of conduct for
both companies focuses on individuals within the company such as employee, and
other members who are not a direct employee of the company, individual relation
with each other, client services and confidentiality, company rights, and compliance
with external regulations.
Although both companies are on the same field of technology, both companies
articulated their code differently. The focus of the code of conduct of each company
focuses on areas where the opposite company didnt. Apple divided people into
groups and explained the code of conduct for each, while Google layout the code
and explained further inside of the code. On the other hand Apple focuses on other
areas like money laundering while Google focuses on other areas like dogs and cats
in the companys premises.
Apple publishes 16 pages of business code of conduct in PDF format. The first page
is a general codes followed by a more focused 4 sub-codes that have a deeper
values for the company. In general, Apple business is based on innovation and high
quality products. The general page included honesty, respect, confidentiality, and
compliance, the sub-codes are related to: individuals, Apple responsibilities,
customer and business relationship, and government and communities.
Along with those principles, apple has its own expectations from all stakeholders.
The expectations are: follow the policy, speak up, use good judgment, and
ask questions. Finally, Apple warns those who violate their business code of
conduct with severe consequences, and emphasizes on denying retaliation and
warns that retaliation is not tolerated.

Google starts its code of conduct with a slogan that says: Dont be evil, and
explains further that following their code of conduct will help understand how to be:
Dont be evil! Moreover, Google has named its users by Googlers, which shows a
good care of users. At the start, Google denied retaliation and encouraged reporting
any act of retaliation. While Apple starts their code emphasizing innovation and
high quality products, Google starts with dividing the code of conduct into: serve
our users, respect each other, avoid conflict of interest, preserve
confidentiality, protect Google assets, ensure financial integrity and
responsibility, and obey the law. Google then explains further each code.
Both companies expected that each employee adhere to the code of conduct.
Report any violation, and ask questions if the employee didnt know. Furthermore,
both companies stated the consequences of violating their code.
Studying the Code of Conduct of both companies shows how Apple is more
organized and focused on articulating the code of conduct. A new employee can
simply read the first page to know what is it required from him/her to be a good
employee; more information can be read later. On the other hand, Google has
named their user Googler which show how they try to build a strong relation with
their users. Also, Google tried to make their codes as simple as Dont be evil; a
brevity that makes sense.
In conclusion, I believe that going with a pioneer company that has made life easy
with their innovation and articulated a code of conduct that is clear would be a good
choice. Yes, its Apple who has a code of conduct that is easy to read and easy to
understand. Regardless of what is the relation with Apple, in no time, the code of
conduct can be easy to understand. Moreover, the code of conduct of Apple Inc.
found to be more fair and comprehensive.
Written by: Khaleel Eksheir