In Jia Wei’s blog about how IBM increases its retention rate and recruit talents from the three-months volunteer projects, she mentions IBM tie two elements- corporate culture and social responsibility together to raise employees’ awareness of social responsibility. With employees having a sense of duty to the community, it generates a positive corporate culture to the company as well as social values to the community.

I totally agree with Jia Wei’s opinions. By giving the employees opportunities to choose an interesting volunteer projects among various topics, IBM is not just able to kill two birds with a stone, but multiple birds.  When employees in a team of five to ten work together in a one-month project, they can develop their team work spirit. With that, employees are more engaged into group work and can usually finish the project in an outstanding way. The fulfillment generated from the accomplishment of the project can create stronger bonds between employees and between employees and the company. Thus, the retention rate will increase as everyone in the company is actively participate. In addition, IBM creates a shared value through the volunteer project. Communities are benefited, employees develop a sense of responsibility to the community and IBM not only creates a positive image that cares about community but also develop a community caring corporate culture. Overall, it is a win-win situation for both IBM and communities.

https://hbr.org/2014/11/why-ibm-gives-top-employees-a-month-to-do-service-abroad

http://blogs.ubc.ca/jiaweixu/