Microsoft Giving :: essays research papers

The Microsoft Corporation obviously sets a high standard for employee volunteerism and community service. For the past twenty years, the company has placed a higher importance on philanthropy than any other technology based corporation(Microsoft Giving Overview,2000). But why does Microsoft devote so much thrust when they are not required to? Why do they spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars every year on donations, volunteer programs, and disaster relief? The simplest answer to this question is that its a good business strategy(Questions About Workplace Volunteerism,2000). Every major corporation in the country makes some kind of contribution to the community. plane most small businesses will sponsor a little league team or make a small donation to the local PTA. matchless part of a good business strategy is creating a reputation as a fair and humble corporation.Microsofts reputation as a fair and respectful operation is far from unblemished. After recent books, artic les, and films, it is common k straightledge to many people that Microsoft was founded on the ideas and inventions of other people. Microsofts reputation suffered specially during its anti-trust difficulties from 1998-1999. During this time, the US government accused the corporation of trying to form a monopoly and attempting to force competition out of the market. Public opinion holds heavy weight in our judicial system. It has been suggested that this is the reason Microsoft has expanded there giving programs since 1998. The simple truth is that the average person doesnt care if Microsoft forms a monopoly, because it doesnt affect their lives. However, if a flood is about to wipe out the town a person lives in or if a person cant find a job because they lack technological training and Microsoft helps them, then that person along with the thousands of others whos lives are a little bit better because of Microsoft may reckon an interest in how the government is treating the compan y. Perhaps then some of the people Microsoft have helped or someone who has heard about the good work through by the corporation see a Microsoft sponsored commercial where Bill Gates explains the rule of free enterprise and everyones right to make an honest dollar. These people, now convinced of the raw deal Microsoft is getting, may write a letter to their congressman or fill out a petition in protrude of Microsoft. Although the government was successful against Microsoft in the first few anti-trust lawsuits, the decisions were soon after overturned.