Google Inc. is an American company that provides technological services such as a search engine, computing, software, hardware, advertising technologies, among other internet-related services and products. The company was co-founded in September 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who were then Ph.D. students at Stanford University in California.
Today, Google handles more than 70 percent of global online searches, making it the most embraced search engine by internet users worldwide. Google is currently headquartered in Mountain View, California.
Google has experienced tremendous growth since its incorporation, triggering development, and the emergence of an array of other products, partnerships, and acquisition way beyond its initial and core business of search engine service provider. To improve and expand its service provision, Google has designed products such as Google docs, Google slides, Google Sheets, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google translate, Duo, Meet, Hangouts, Google Maps, YouTube, Blogger among other products. From 2010 to 2015, Google partnered with other companies to produce and develop products such as Nexus devices, Android mobile operating systems, Chrome OS, and Google Chrome web browsers. Besides, the company is reported to have experimented with the provision of Internet carriers such as Google Fiber, Google Station, and Google Fi.
Google Inc.’s CSR journey
Besides being the leading brand in the provision of internet technology services, Google Inc. is also well known for its distinct role in social responsibility role. Google Inc. has been ranked as one of the best in terms of Good Corporate Citizenship. Apart from developing an array of products and services to improve and better the lives of billions of people worldwide, Google Inc. has invested vast amounts of money and other resources toward philanthropic causes and activities. These activities range from education to environment to poverty alleviation among other areas, not only in the USA but also overseas.
Till now, Google Inc. has channeled substantial amounts of money towards charitable activities aimed at changing the lives of millions of people for the better. For instance, to motivate and encourage youths to become champions of social change, the company funded Google China Social Innovation Cup for College Students. Besides, Google Inc. has become handy in supporting earthquake relief causes to raise funds for free advertising for businesses to rebuild them. Moreover, it has become a communication platform for many families to find their loved ones and funding for the construction of Quake Relief Hope Schools. There is a program that provides free advertising for charitable causes.
In its CSR strategy, Google is keen to ensure that education and learning for the less fortunate and marginalized groups from across the world are realized. To actualise this noble objective, the company is dedicating its technological resources to the education sector to help many students get quality education and better job opportunities. Google Inc. has set aside about $50 million to help children in underprivileged and marginalized communities worldwide get a quality education.
It is worth noting that Google Inc. is keen to address the social issue of racial discrimination. The company is channeling its monetary resources toward helping victims of racial discrimination by promoting equity and inclusion in the American system, which is currently characterized by a high level of racial discrimination. Based on data and research, one in every three people of color is expected to face imprisonment once in a lifetime besides facing high levels of discrimination in American society. Currently, Google Inc. gives grants to organizations working to address racial discrimination and inequality in America.
Google Inc. also acknowledges that one of the best practices to reduce the environmental impact of a massive corporate world is to use renewable energy. To set a good example for others; for a long time, Google has set a target of using 100 percent renewable energy in running its processes. It was not until 2017 that the company realized this target, and since then, Google Inc. uses renewable energy fully in its operations. It has also kept improving the efficiency of its services by using renewable energy as well as high-quality carbon offsets.
One thing regarding Google Inc.’s good corporate citizenship that I find interesting is its commitment to channel a considerable amount of money towards the fight against racial discrimination and the promotion of equity in American society. This is because racial discrimination and inequality in America have been a severe problem since time immemorial. Before Google’s active involvement in the fight against this long time social problem, there had not a single company that had thought of funding that noble cause.
In summary, Google, the giant search engine, drew my attention, considering that it commands enormous amounts of money in its operations. In the course of my research, I realized that the company is keen on carrying out its responsibility to ensure that the lives of millions worldwide are changed for the better. Google Inc. has also made significant strides in extending their hand toward helping the underprivileged, conserving the environment, providing relief to earthquake victims, alleviating poverty and most importantly fighting racial discrimination.