This assignment asks you to produce a report that analyzes and evaluates a case of issue management. Produce a well-written, proof-read, business formatted analytical paper.

Specifications:
Read and refer to the attachments: “EU enforcers slap Google with record $2.7 billion fine for skewing searches. ” The European Commission decision on online shopping: the other side of the story.” Answer the following:

A) How serious is this situation for Google? At what stage is this issue in the development cycle (latent, active, intense, or crisis)? Explain your assessment.

B) Was this an issue that Google could have been monitoring? How would a DESTEP analysis work in this case? Would any elements apply and be prioritized? Why and in what way would a company like Google be particularly vulnerable?

C) Google produces a formal response in reaction to the Commission’s decision (see attachment). What strategy does Google use in its response, Buffering, Bridging, or Advocacy? Explain your assessment. What arguments does it use to support this strategy?

D) In its response, Google also manages to play some themed messages to consolidate its reputation. What are these messages and what message style/s is being employed? Which elements of the response’s explanation are more instrumental (neo classical model) and which are more normative (socio-economic model)?

E) Google is no stranger to controversy, given its outspoken former CEO Eric Schmidt, who once opined at a technology symposium, “We know where you are. We know where you've been. We can more or less know what you're thinking about." Why would that comment be problematic, what Risk Society phobias does it seem to play into, and how might it conflict with the basic notions of socio-economic theory?