Creating Shared Value through Education: Microsoft’s Approach

Microsoft, one of the world’s leading technology companies, has long recognised the importance of investing in education. The company’s commitment to supporting education programmes is not only driven by a sense of social responsibility, but also by a recognition that education is a key driver of economic growth and prosperity. Through its education programmes, Microsoft has been able to create shared value – a concept pioneered by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter.

Shared value refers to a business strategy that aims to create both economic and social value. Rather than focusing solely on maximising profits, companies that pursue shared value seek to create social and environmental benefits that also deliver economic returns. According to Professor Porter, creating shared value is not just a matter of philanthropy or corporate social responsibility. It is an integral part of a company’s overall business strategy, and can be a source of competitive advantage.

Microsoft’s approach to education is a prime example of how a company can create shared value. The company’s education programmes are designed to provide students and educators with the skills and tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. By investing in education, Microsoft is not only contributing to the development of human capital, but also creating a pipeline of skilled workers who can help drive the company’s future growth.

One of Microsoft’s key education initiatives is its YouthSpark programme. This programme is designed to provide young people with access to technology and resources that can help them develop the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy. Through YouthSpark, Microsoft has committed to providing more than $500 million in cash, software, and other resources to non-profit organizations around the world that are working to improve access to technology and digital skills training.

In addition to its work with young people, Microsoft also invests in the professional development of educators. The company’s Microsoft Educator Community is a platform that provides free professional development resources to educators around the world. Through this platform, educators can access a wide range of training materials and resources that can help them integrate technology into their teaching and better support their students.

Microsoft’s education programmes have not only had a positive impact on the students and educators they serve, they also created economic value for the company. By investing in education, Microsoft is helping to create a pool of skilled workers who are more likely to be employed in the technology sector. This, in turn, can help drive innovation and growth in the industry, creating new business opportunities for Microsoft and other companies in the sector.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s investment in education is a prime example of how a company can create shared value. By providing students and educators with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world, Microsoft is not only creating social benefits, but also contributing to its own long-term success. As Professor Porter has noted, creating shared value is not just a matter of doing good, but also of creating economic value. Through its education programmes, Microsoft has demonstrated how these two objectives can be achieved in tandem.

References:

1. Porter, M.E. and Kramer, M.R. (2011) ‘Creating shared value: how to reinvent capitalism and unleash a wave of innovation and growth’, Harvard Business Review, 89(1/2), pp. 62–77. Available at: https://hbr.org/2011/01/the-big-idea-creating-shared-value (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
2. Microsoft (n.d.) YouthSpark. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/philanthropies/youthspark (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
3. Microsoft (n.d.) Microsoft Educator Community. Available at: https://education.microsoft.com/en-us (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
4. United Nations (2015) Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generalassembly/docs/globalcompact/A_RES_70_1_E.pdf (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
5. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2010) Vision 2050: The new agenda for business. Available at: https://www.wbcsd.org/Overview/Panorama/Articles/Vision-2050-The-new-agenda-for-business (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
6. McKinsey & Company (2019) The business case for sustainability. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/the-business-case-for-sustainability (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
7. Investopedia (n.d.) Sustainable investing. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sustainable_investing.asp (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
8. Sustainable Brands (n.d.) What is sustainability? Available at: https://sustainablebrands.com/about/sustainability (Accessed: 14 February 2023).
9. United Nations Global Compact (n.d.) The ten principles of the UN Global Compact. Available at: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles (Accessed: 14 February 2023).

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