Case Study

Intel and Corporate Social Responsibility

Intel Corporation is a semiconductor chip maker corporation headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Based on revenue, Intel is one of the world's largest semiconductor chip makers with a multinational presence. Intel Corporation was founded in 1968, by semiconductor pioneers Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore under the executive leadership and vision of Andrew Grove. Intel makes motherboards, network interface controllers, integrated circuits, flash member, graphic chips, and processors, combining advanced chip design capability with a leading-edge manufacturing capability. Until 1981 the majority of its business was devoted to SRAM and DRAM memory chip manufacturing. Currently Intel is actively developing the 3-D transistor and 4th generation core processors. As a socially responsible corporation, Intel is actively involved in improving lives, the community, and the environment.

In 1988 Intel established the Intel Foundation to fund educational and charitable endeavors. Intel corporate leadership has a history of investment and engagement in programs to support social issues that has generated significant value both for Intel and for their stakeholders. Intel is especially active in developing "conflict free" mineral products. Many product made by Intel, as well as countless others in the marketplace, contain tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold, that are know as "conflict minerals". These minerals are often sold by rebels to fund violent conflict. Intel is partnering with other organizations to find conflict free smelters for its resource supplies. Intel supported Mike Mick Ebeling's Not Impossible Lab's to develop Project Daniel that initially set to provide a boy with new arms and his village in South Sudan with the Intel technology, Ultrabooks, using 3-D printing to develop prosthetics to help other civil war victims. In other areas, Intel's She Will Connect program strives to close the Internet gender gap for girls and women that excludes them from 21st century jobs and opportunities.

This is especially critical in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is intended to empower women, improve digital literacy training, provide online peer interaction, and gender relevant content. It is expected to transform African economy and families. Additionally, Intel supports educational projects especially for girls in Egypt, Tanzania, and 65 other developing countries through project such as Smart Girls and Girls Rising. Intel emphasizes the benefits communities and developing countries obtain when girls are educated leading to healthier and safer people, and less child marriage. Intel India's Empowering Women in Jharkhand, provides education and local economic support, into empower underserved tribal women with education to start prosperous micro-businesses. Intel's corporate culture has as its foundation a value for its people, the environment, human rights, and empowering the next generation. Their commitment to the environment includes projects to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, conserve resources, and use innovative ways for sustainability.

Analyze:

How do each of these companies address sustainability?

How does the focus on sustainability provide a strategic position for the company, if any?

Analyze why the company engages in social activities.

What form of corporate governance best fits a sustainable company?