CSR for Technology & Internet Companies: A Multi-Client Study
In collaboration with the Haas School's
Management
of Technology program, the Center launched an innovative
multi-client study in Fall 2006 exploring the critical corporate
social responsibility (CSR) issues facing the technology industry
- from computer manufacturers to software and internet companies.
The technology sector is often viewed as the undiscovered frontier in terms of CSR. This study will research,
benchmark, and develop strategic recommendations for the sector on the state of corporate social responsibility.
The study is led by a team of three second-year Haas MBA students known as
CSR Tech Fellows. Key elements of the study will include:
- Risks, opportunities, trends, and relevance to the tech & internet sector specifically
- Business drivers, linkages to core business objectives and core competencies
- Key performance indicators and metrics of performance
- Communication, messaging, and branding potential
- Mini-cases highlighting best (and worst) practices
- Lessons and learnings from other industries
- Suggested time horizons
- Strategic recommendations, broken out by smaller and larger, early-stage and late-stage companies
- Rating system for companies in the sector via-á-vis CSR performance
- Focus areas include the following: Community Engagement, Customer/ Market Access, Compliance, Educational Initiatives, Employees, Environmental Impact and Initiatives, Foundations, Privacy, Product Differentiation.
The fellows will develop a written report and deliver results in a meeting with tech leaders. The study will be overseen by Haas School faculty, Kellie McElhaney, Executive Director of the Center, and Drew Isaacs, Executive Director of the MOT program, and industry expert, Mike Homer, Chair of the Center's advisory board.
Current study sponsors are Bill Campbell of Intuit, e-Bay, Hewlett-Packard, Mike Homer of Open Media Networks, Palm, Inc., and Larry Sonsini of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
For more information on the CSR in the Tech Sector Study, please contact Katharine Brewer, Associate Director, at kbrewer@haas.berkeley.edu or (510) 642-5581.
