Okta For Good: Pursuing Innovation and Impact in Corporate Social Responsibility

by Andrew Isaacs, Natalia Costa i Coromina, and Adam Rosenzweig


Okta, a leader in identity and access management (IAM) software based in San Francisco, CA, has developed a unique and ambitious model for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The founders demonstrated high-level commitment by setting aside equity for CSR pre-IPO. In only a few years, Okta has created a solid framework for social impact and given generously to its global communities while keeping its social impact in sync with its core business. Going forward, Okta is considering how to sustain its social impact during economic downturns, grow its employee volunteer programs, and evolve its CSR model as the company matures. The model was inspired by Pledge 1%, a framework for corporate philanthropy which guides companies to give 1% of profit, product, and people's time for charitable causes. This case examines Okta's model, the roots of CSR, the benefits and challenges of sustaining CSR through economic downturns, models of CSR in mature tech companies, and how careers in this area have evolved.

Learning Objectives


1. Assess the sustainability of CSR models in economic downturns. 2. Determine the effectiveness of CSR as a tool for recruiting and retaining talent. 3. Examine how CSR functions in the context of technology companies. 4. Examine how CSR functions in the context of newly-public companies.

Details

Pub Date: Jul 31, 2019

Discipline: Social Enterprise

Subjects: Corporate image, Startup, Strategic philanthropy, Nonprofit organizations, Volunteers, Technology, Stockholders, Employees, Organizational structure, Social issues, Community relations, Job satisfaction, Brand management, Social responsibility, Software development

Product #: B5937-PDF-ENG

Industry: Software publishing

Geography: United States, California, Silicon Valley

Length: 13 page(s)


Berkeley Haas Case Series
Berkeley Haas Case Series The Berkeley Haas Case Series is a collection of business case studies written by faculty members at the Haas School of Business. Cases are conceived, developed, written, and published throughout the year, on subjects ranging from entrepreneurship and strategy to finance and marketing. Each case includes a teaching note for use in the classroom.

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