But „freeing oneself from” alone is not enough; While it empowers the individual, it does not create moral and ethical frameworks within which to operate. The „freedom of” must be followed by a meaningful journey towards the „freedom of” – the common condition in which we are inspired to act in the common interest. „Freedom to” is the focus on common goals and mutually positive outcomes. Bernd Gross is CTO of Software AG. Software AG offers freedom as a service. We reinvent integration, drive business transformation, and enable rapid innovation in the Internet of Things so you can pioneer differentiating business models. We give you the freedom to connect and integrate any technology, from the application to the edge. We`ll help you free data from silos so it`s shared, usable, and powerful, so you can make the best decisions and unlock brand new growth opportunities. The collapse of traditional power structures leads to an increase in „freedom of” and leaves a power vacuum while old controls wither. We see it in West Asia – where the Arab Spring was a manifestation of the powerful desire for freedom – but also in startup culture, among millennials who want to break free from traditional corporate insignia. But how can we face and benefit from this abundance of newfound freedom? Progress in this regard can be seen with the increasing number of chief data officers appointed to develop data literacy in their respective organizations.
In addition, the introduction of business intelligence applications makes it easier for non-technical employees to interpret data analysis. In addition to being the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense to respect human rights. Companies can be involved in litigation, suffer reputational damage and miss out on business opportunities and investments, as well as the chance to hire the best new employees. In March 2015, Angolan journalist and human rights activist Rafael Marques de Morais appeared in court to face multiple counts of criminal defamation – punishable by up to nine years in prison and $1.2 million in damages – for covering up the military`s involvement in more than 500 cases of torture and 100 murders in a diamond mining district in the country. In response, three prominent jewelers (Tiffany and Co., Leber Jeweler and Brilliant Earth) joined an international campaign on behalf of Marques, issuing statements and signing letters from press freedom advocates to Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos. The Oxford Dictionary defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as they please. In business, this equates to harmonious collaboration within an organization, where employees can experiment in their roles and take responsibility for their tasks and responsibilities. It fosters innovation. Innovation, called the „secret sauce” of business success, drives the growth of individual businesses and entire economies. If companies don`t innovate, they fail. However, innovation requires diversity of thought and action as well as a high degree of trust.
Societies that ban and punish free speech destroy society`s trust and promote more uniform, narrow and rigid ways of thinking – the antithesis of innovation. „Freedom of” is a necessary condition for success in life, society and business. It speaks of the liberation of individuals from hierarchy, oppression and crippling rules, whether of tyrannical government or top-down corporate management style. The relationships created by the „freedom of” have the potential to be open and reciprocal, because power is appropriately distributed, information is shared, and decision-making is inclusive. „Freeing oneself from” can create a space for multiple actors to make broad contributions. It supports stable business operations. Many of the same restrictive laws used against activists can also be used to punish corporations. In addition, protecting freedom of expression promotes transparency and access to information, which reduces uncertainty and the likelihood of unfounded litigation. Companies need to start looking at relationships with all stakeholders – employees, customers, supply chain partners, and even communities – through this lens of „freedom of/freedom of”. After all, business is about relationships – relationships with employees, customers, supply chain partners and other stakeholders In addition to the minimum list of internationally recognized human rights, the UN Guiding Principles make it clear that companies must also pay attention to additional standards that cover the human rights of individuals belonging to groups or populations that may be particularly vulnerable to negative impacts.