Running head: MICROSOFT CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 1

Microsoft Corporate Social Responsibility

Omar Alafif

Cedar Crest University

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Microsoft Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is a step undertaken by corporations to assess and take

responsibility for the effects caused to social wellbeing and the environment (Werther &
Chandler, 2010). Corporations undertake extra strategies to ensure other than what is expected of
them by the government, regulators, and environmental protection organizations. Thus, CSR is a
means through which corporation try to be more ethical. Microsoft’s mission is to empower each
and organizations to achieve more. In the attempt to achieve this mission, Microsoft uses the
power of technology to be ethical and ensure corporate social responsibility, protect planet earth,
and safeguard human rights and freedoms.
Unlike many companies, Microsoft is not profit oriented. It offers product and services
that meet the needs of its clients, and that includes the 1 billion people who have disabilities in
the world (Microsoft Report, 2017). For example, the company has invested heavily in its Office
packages, such as Windows 10 and Office 365 setting the standards by ensuring that these
applications are easy to use by the blind and people with a low vision. Precisely, the company
has invested in an eye control feature that helps people with low vision to use these computer
packages. Also, it has the Seeing Al feature that narrates the world around you for the blind
people (Microsoft Report, 2017). The move by Microsoft proves ethicality and social
responsibility because it cares for the minority groups that use its products.
In the Fiscal Year 2017, Microsoft made donations of more than $1.2 million in software
and services to non-profit organizations in the world (Microsoft Philanthropies, 2017). Presently,
the world is becoming modernized, characterized by increased technology and innovations.
However, not all people are in the capacity to access or afford these technological advancements.
Microsoft’s philanthropic donation was a way to ensure that the marginalized get the chance to
gain knowledge and skills needed in the modern digital economy. The company delivered its
modern technology into the hands of the non-profit organization. The move is to make the
beneficiaries feel that they are part and parcel of the modern world. The total donations made by
the company FY 2017 reached a record break of $149 million.
Microsoft also ensures that its processes and products are environmentally sustainable.
The company designs its products, operations, and building in a manner that reduces the use of
resources, recycling, to ensure that these resources are available for use by the next generations
(Microsoft Corporation, 2017). The company employs value stream analysis and cycle
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assessments to achieve this objective. For example, it purchased a wind energy plant to power its
Wyoming data center to ensure that clean energy powers its facilities. It is also a step to address
pollution, one of the world’s toughest environmental challenges. Contrary, some international
corporations that do not care the effect they create to the environment. Thus, Microsoft’s move
reveals its concern for resources and the environment.
Microsoft’s corporate social responsibility also covers human rights. The company makes
its employees a major priority in its stakeholder’s list. The company understands that its
employees are important because of the direct impact they have on its organizational
performance through human resource productivity and competence (Microsoft Report, 2017).
Among the main interest of employees include competitive compensation, good employment
practices, and fair labor (Peloza & Shang, 2011). While other organizations disregard their
employees, Microsoft understands these needs and offers its employees competitive
compensation, improved employment practices, and highly protects their rights. For instance, the
high compensation makes it retain its employees against potential threats such as Apple. The
respect for human rights and in particular employees shows ethical conduct for Microsoft.
In essence, Microsoft takes elements of corporate social responsibility and ethics
seriously. It is devoted to its mission as well as being committed to addressing the social,
economic, and environmental issue. Through its generous donations, protection of employee
rights, use of clean energy, and products and services for the minority groups are some of the
good and recommendable activities done by the company. Microsoft is a perfect case of how
companies and organizations could act to form a basis for a stronger community and ensure that
everyone achieves a greater outcome.
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References

Microsoft Corporation. (2017). Environmental Compliance and Stewardship - Microsoft

Corporate Social Responsibility. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-

us/about/corporate-responsibility/environmental-sustainability

Microsoft Philanthropies. (2017). Empowering People with the Use of Technology. Retrieved

from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/philanthropies/empowering-people

Microsoft. (2017). Microsoft 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Peloza, J., & Shang, J. (2011). How can corporate social responsibility activities create value for

stakeholders? A systematic review. Journal of the academy of Marketing Science, 39(1),

117-135

Werther Jr., W. B., & Chandler, D. (2010). Strategic corporate social responsibility:

Stakeholders in a global environment. Sage Publications.