Microsoft’s Partnership with UNHCR – Pro Bono Publico?
Microsoft’s Partnership with UNHCR – Pro Bono Publico?
Let me first provide the landscape of this case study by highlighting that the evolution of the partnership between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the software giant Microsoft Corporation facilitated a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership, as well as shaping the definition today of good corporate social responsibility. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative was created back in 1999 as an endeavor at a point in time when Microsoft employees engaged to assist to aid the victims of the Kosovo crisis. The emotional undertaking is referred to as the spark created
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Investors invest for the return that they come to expect and receive, not necessarily deriving some emotion of a “feel good moment”. Identifying and fostering partnerships is the ideal solution, maintaining those relationships that aligned closely with the company that is meant to last, and giving ones employees a great sense of belonging and contributing towards a cause - all lead towards a long-term goal of providing some ideal public relations and brand citizenry- ship longing for acknowledgment. UNHCR created more opportunities through the partnership with Microsoft. In our readings Microsoft lacked investment opportunities, share price dropped in valuation an the company itself was portrayed as a monopoly power in our society. The concept behind the Global Citizen activities within Microsoft or CSR initiatives in Kosovo was also to get the recognition throughout the industry from stakeholders. With the Letter of Understanding (LOU) transparent as key objectives for the public to view, it reflected social responsibility, a UNHCR Corporate Code of Conduct and a partnership that did not fulfill any financial gains (Coethica, D. 2010). In suit, the partnership clearly illustrated an alliance about mutual humanitarian components, reputation and provided stated outcome or opportunities as deliverables. While reflecting on the 1999
An advocacy group called Cajun Association for Legalization of Marijuana that has always had peaceful protests has now started a conversation among the community regarding their events continuing too late into the night and many noise complaints have been filed. In order to address these concerns two councilmen have proposed drafts that that could be deemed unconstitutional because of their violation of the First Amendment right of freedom of speech, but the drafts may also be supporting the right to preserve the peace in the city by regulating the noise or time of the event.
For example, AFLAC would award its employees who present themselves within the community or volunteer for many charities, with the Volunteer of the Month award. This award can build the morale of the employee and keep them engaged. In the end not only are employees being recognized for their philanthropic work, but also it allows AFLAC to gain rapport due to its continuous efforts in the community. Secondly, AFLAC utilizes sound performance and incentive as an enhancement tool in order to promote and develop employees for the next level within the organization and keep pace with the company’s overall goals and strategies. “Approximately 90 percent of employees were attracted to and remain at Aflac because of company reputation. Employees are happy with the profit-sharing bonus, with 81 percent of employees saying they believe it is better than that of other companies” (p.7). This strategy is a marketing tool that allows AFLACs employees to see endless opportunity, which has allowed AFLAC to retain over 91 percent of it,
Which results in better performance, greater efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and lower costs, turnover, and absenteeism. In the current business and organization literature, employee satisfaction, respect, loyalty, and an atmosphere of feeling valued is imperative to the success of a business. The feeling that an employer sincerely cares for its employees is remarkable. In line with Gupta & Agarwal (2012), it is imperative that employees understand the worth of their lives in the workplace. Companies that express a genuine mutual care towards its employees gets better results. They are motivated to work harder and smarter. Many employers are only interested in the bottom line and performance, not their employees’ well-being and their
Every organized company worldwide should have among its structure, one planning and coordination division in which social and business goals are integrated. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are necessary for commercial business as an element of risk management and represent an outstanding mechanism for the stakeholders to identify weaknesses when their own actions or others conduct in its operating environment generate social risk. (Kytle and Ruggie 2005).
Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet, writer, editor, and one of the first literary critics. He is probably best known for his poems and his short stories, especially his tales of horror, mystery and suspense. He is broadly considered the originator of detective fiction. Poe was the literary critic of his time, born in Boston, Massachusetts he may have been the nation's first published horror, mystery and science fiction writer. Poe wrote eerie, grim and cryptic tales. His work as a poet, and a critic had a profound impact on literature everywhere. He is generally considered as the creator of the modern short story. To this day he is one of the most widely read Authors of the 19th century. He appeals to all kinds of different readers, the young
It would have been good if this fundamental vision was in place right at the very beginning of the company’s formation. In the end it is the customers that make the company, so it makes sense to work towards satisfying this customer relationship. To become profitable and achieve market share are secondary objective that can be measured on a annual basis and overall company well being targets can be rewarded with incentives that link into the company’s performance as opposed to individual contribution to the company’s success.
CSR lacks universal methods. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) mentions that it is important to draw a distinction between CSR as part of strategic business management concept and charity, sponsorships or philanthropy. The latter applications make valuable social impacts that enhance the reputations of the companies, however, CSR is a continual effort instead of an instance. A few features that CSR should focus on are: eco-efficiency, employee and community relations, environmental management, gender balance, responsible souring, anti-corruption, stakeholder engagement and human rights. Utilizing some of these key features a company can bring competitive advantages into the market place. Increased sales and profits from operational cost savings as well as improved reputation and brand image and customer loyalty can result from a well-defined CSR strategy.
Dr. Veleva’s 2010 case study, “New Balance: Developing an integrated CSR strategy”, examines the company’s history and corporate culture, and describes how in 2006 it started to approach CSR more formally, creating a CSR steering committee. In 2008, the company engaged the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship (BCCCC) to help develop a framework, conduct
Corporate social responsibility has been one the key business buzz words of the 21st century. Consumers' discontent with the corporation has forced it to try and rectify its negative image by associating its name with good deeds. Social responsibility has become one of the corporation's most pressing issues, each company striving to outdo the next with its philanthropic image. People feel that the corporation has done great harm to both the environment and to society and that with all of its wealth and power, it should be leading the fight to save the Earth, to combat poverty and illness and etc. "Corporations are now expected to deliver the good, not just the goods; to pursue
In response to the earlier task where all Senior Stakeholder Relationship Representatives were required to settle on a strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partner for BusComm Enterprises, Armed Services YMCA of San Diego is hereby presented as the final choice. The charitable organization offers numerous support services such as assistance to rehabilitate wounded soldiers, free medical and psychological counseling, and programs to aid soldiers and their families. This choice is also based on the known deficit of support to military men and women who frequently suffer from life altering physical and emotional injuries. The Armed Services YMCA is a well-organized and highly rated association, with a rich history of serving since the civil war. It is thus a suitable strategic partner that fits our organizational goals and desire to integrate precedent setting CSR practices. This charity also fits our budget and presents a unique opportunity to serve in a barely exploited area, which will appeal to our shareholders. Conversely, my analysis indicated that Invisible Children would require higher scaling of resources and commitment in order to make an impact while their thematic area may be hard to resonate with our audience. Elsewhere, Community HousingWorks appeared capable of self-funding and represented a fairly common CSR partner who wouldn’t present BusComm Enterprises as any different among peers. It was also my opinion that the San Diego Brain
As the little girl closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep, her grandmother’s voice softly concluded the story, “And they all lived happily ever after. The end.” Similar to this little girl and her grandmother, people desire life to have happy endings in order to show that life truly does have value and pleasure. By witnessing others’ happy endings, people become inspired to achieve hope for their own lives’ purposes. While this is the case for many people, Ernest Hemingway rejected the ideas of hope, happiness, and meaning, instead embracing loneliness, despair, and death.
Information on each corporation’s negative and positive outcomes is gathered from reports of the United Nations as well as Oxfam International, which are considered to be reliable sources for the relevant facts. The choice of including only two MNOCs is as well the strength of the research; hence it
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something that affects all companies and should be an active factor in the company’s decision making. It is something all corporations need to care about. CSR is when business’ or corporations take part in an initiative or campaign for a cause that will benefit society and/or in some way make the world a better place (Taylor, 2015). Initially, Corporate Social Responsibility started to take shape around the 1950’s, but some say that it dates all the way back to the 1800s, the idea of CSR was seen (Carroll, 2007). One may think that because it is dated so long ago, it doesn’t have an important impact today nevertheless, it is proven that Corporate Social Responsibility is a pathway for entities to self benefit as they are in the process of benefitting society.
To inspire moments of optimism through our brands and actions. To create value and make a difference everywhere we engage.
The purpose of this essay is to research the notion of CSR and uncover its true framework and outline what social responsibility truly means to corporate organisations, and whether it should be seriously considered to be a legitimate addition to the corporate framework of an organisation.