Openness, corporations and social control

Our lives are increasingly influenced by the power of corporations - rather than democratic governments - due to the influence of a range of trends including globalisation, privatisation, increasing working hours, and the ability of technology to monitor employee conduct and productivity.

So how should society respond to this increasing influence, and how can we as individuals protect our rights and freedoms?

One area that I find of particular concern is companies that choose to limit or eliminate employee access to digital social networks during working hours.

If you're working 8 or 10 or more hours every day, this sort of restriction can massively limit your ability to participate in any sort of public life.

And robust participation in public life is one of the best ways to protect and improve a democracy.

Also, you've got to ask yourself about the likely culture and management style of a company that chooses control and secrecy rather than openness and enablement.

So my advice to anyone who cares to listen, is to choose an employer who actively supports employee participation in social networks. A vibrant democracy requires an engaged population...and I believe this is even more important than economic growth.

This is why I'm proud to work for IBM, a company that is making a series of difficult yet rewarding choices to open up to the world.

IBM actively supports employee participation in social networks. The company's social media guidelines were developed not by a secret council of corporate heavies trying to silence employees - but through an open process led by interested employees.

IBM also makes it easy for employees to get involved, with a range of internal tools and coommunities, plus some great video education regarding appropriate online conduct.