Section One: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Statement
Data-driven, human-focused philanthropy-powered by Google: We bring the best of Google to innovative nonprofits that are committed to creating a world that works for everyone.
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Statement is indicative of the fact that CSR is not something Google does from time to time but rather an essential element of everything the company does. Innovation and information are the two elements that form the core of the Google vision and mission and they also feature in its CSR statement. This means that Google takes CSR as seriously as they take their other core objectives within their strategic plan and philosophy. From an analysis of the statement quoted above, Google is also definitive about whom the target of their CSR is, the people. It is also towards the people that the vision and mission of Google are focused, making people the key stakeholders of the company. Therefore, Google’s CSR also includes an endeavor to give back to those from whom Google makes its profits and also treat them right. Finally, the CSR statement also indicates an element of partnership with non-profit organizations that seeks to improve the livelihoods of people. This means that Google does not have a go alone attitude in its CSR but rather also channels its assistance through other organizations. In summary, Google has made CSR one of its core obligations by using its key asset to make a better world for its key stakeholders through inter alia partnering with likeminded non-profit organizations.
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Section Two: Article On Google CSR Plans
The article by Robert Half (2017) outlines some of the plans that Google has at the close of 2017 that would affect its CSR in 2018 and beyond. The CSR plan outlined in the article falls under three limbs. The first limb relates to the environment and falls under the Google Green initiative. As per the article, Google has committed a billion US dollars towards projects that aim to produce and increase renewable energy. Increase in renewable energy would reduce the current high use of mineral oil and its products thus reducing the environmental damage that has also been linked to climate change. The second limb relates to Google and its energy consumption. Google, as per its own reports is indicated to be using 50% as much energy as other data companies at its level of operations with a focus on renewable energy (Robert Half, 2017 ). This report is indicative of the fact that Google has adopted energy conservation measures in its operations as its contribution towards the reduction of the high energy usage in the modern world that is ravaging the environment. The last limb relates directly to the global citizenry and is about a project launched by Google called Google Person Finder. The project enables people to locate one another after a major disaster. The natural and man-made disasters are repeatedly ravaging different parts of the world creating great anxiety as people seek to find out the state of their loved ones. Google Person Finder helps alleviate this anxiety and also assists in getting help for the afflicted.
Section Three: Internal and External Impact of the New Plans
Internal Impact
The CSR plan by Google will have both a positive and negative impact on the company from an internal perspective. Seeking to reduce energy consumption and focusing on renewable energy will come at a high cost for the organization. The high cost may eat into the company’s profit margins. On the positive sides, technology companies stand accused of being major contributors to the energy crisis and the advent of global warming. Making active steps to alleviate this problem will endear Google to its current and future employees thus, increasing their motivation to work harder and smarter for Google ( Gonzalez-Padron, 2015 ) .
External Impact
According to Snider, Hill and Martin ( 2003), the external impact of CSR projects is not just about what companies do but what is known about what they do. Google has focused its CSR plan on some of the most popular subjects currently, climate change and disasters. Communities around the world are bound to notice that Google is doing something about the environmental problems thus endearing Google to the community. Further, the Google Person Finder project will have a major positive impact in communities at the time of need. The CSR will be a powerful marketing tool for Google thus increasing profitability.
Section Four: CSR Recommendation
Google’s vision and mission statements both relate to making information easily available and useful to the society. To the ordinary citizen, Google knows everything and to some extent, this notion is true, through inter alia analysis of big data. Many people wonder if Google is doing enough to stop evil in the world, more so from the perspective of terrorism. Getting information about evil activities before they happen and enabling government agencies to stop them fall under organizing information and making it available in a manner that it is useful to the community. Google has access to data from all over the world and it also has the ability to process the data and decipher information from it. Information that could save lives and protect property from destruction can be volunteered to law enforcement in a manner that does not lead to a breach of privacy.
References
Gonzalez-Padron, T. (2015). Business Ethics & Social Responsibility for Managers . San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education , Inc.
Robert Half. (2017, November 30). 3 awesome CSR initiatives by top tech companies. Retrieved April 07, 2018, from https://www.roberthalf.com.au/blog/employers/3-awesome-csr-initiatives-top-tech-companies
Snider, J., Hill, R. P., & Martin, D. (2003). Corporate social responsibility in the 21st century: A view from the world's most successful firms. Journal of Business Ethics , 48 (2), 175-187
